Srinagar, Feb 5: The killing of a youth by Army in Handwara has evoked strong reaction by various separatist groups.
The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has termed the killing as an act of state terrorism and accused New Delhi of undertaking genocide of Kashmiris through its soldiers.
In a statement, Geelani said, “At a time when the authorities were making tall claims of decrease in human rights violations, an innocent youth has been ruthlessly killed by Army in Chogal.”
 Geelani maintained that unless there is complete demilitarization of Jammu and Kashmir, no civilian is safe. Elaborating, he said on this day last year, the soldiers killed Zahid Farooq of Nishat. “And the killing of Manzoor Ahmed Magray, in Chogal by Army has made it categorically clear that the ground situation has not changed in Kashmir as the innocent killings are still on,” he said.
 Geelani said in June last year Kashmiris took to streets against the killings of youth and teenagers. “Ironically, the agitation against the killings was termed as a conspiracy of the conglomerate and the arrest spree of our leaders and activists is still going on. We want to know that has Manzoor been killed at the conglomerate’s behest and was he killed by bullets for participating in protests?”
 “If Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has any respect for Kashmiris, he should immediately resign from the post as the killing has proved that Army is at the helm of affairs in the State,” he said.
 Geelani said in view of drastic change in global geo-politics, the Indian leaders should understand that they can’t suppress the aspirations of Kashmiris for long. “It is unfortunate that some people in a bid to appease the mainstream leaders are selling out the martyrdom of their beloved for money thus disrespecting the nation and ongoing movement,” he said.
 The veteran leader maintained that unless the Kashmir dispute is resolved, the human rights violations will continue. “The rigid stand of India is hampering the dispute’s resolution. Pakistan has also to make its policy clear on Kashmir to pave way for its resolution,” he said.
 Geelani hailed Pakistan for observing Kashmir Solidarity Day today. “I felicitate the Pakistani people for sharing the sorrows of Kashmiris. We hope that Pakistan will continue to render diplomatic and political support to press for resolve the dispute,” he said.

ACT OF STATE TERRORISM: JKLF
 Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front has strongly condemned the killing terming it a part of state terrorism.
 Addressing a function held today at Pulwama as a part of Hafta-e-Shahadat, the Front vice-chairman advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat said, “The innocent student was martyred by the armed forces just after two days the army chief in Kashmir, Atta Muhammad Hasnian, reiterated his zero tolerance claim to innocent killings.” He expressed solidarity with the family of martyred youth.
 Bhat alleged that the armed forces operating in Kashmir were indulging in human rights violations and were squarely responsible for eruption of protests and disruption of peace. “The Chogal killing has once again proved it beyond any shade of doubt that innocent killings will continue as long as army is operating in Kashmir. The complete demilitarization is must for restoration of peace in the state,” he said.
 Meanwhile, the chairman of Jama’at-e-Ahli-Hadees Maulana Showkat has also condemned the Chogul killing and urged the international human rights organizations to take note of ‘oppressive tactics unleashed by New Delhi’ to, what he said, crush the ongoing movement in Kashmir.

INHUMAN ACT: JKLF (R)
 Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (R) chairman Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bita Karatay and senior vice-chairman Javid Ahmad have strongly condemned the killing, terming it as an inhuman act.
 The Front leaders were carrying out signature campaign as a part of Hafta-e-Shahadat in Barbar Shah area here.
 The Front leaders expressed solidarity with the family of martyred youth and charged the armed forces with indulging in ‘violence and disruption’ of peace.
 The leaders, according to Front statement, thanked the people and Government of Pakistan for observing February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day every year and extending its political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris in their ongoing struggle for freedom.
 Meanwhile, a delegation of Front leaders led by Javid Ahmad Mir visited the residence of Zahid Farooq on his martyrdom anniversary to express solidarity with his parents.

BARBARIC: HURRIYAT (M)
 The senior leader of Hurriyat (M) Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam termed the killing as a barbaric act. “The killing of the youth in Handwara has exposed New Delhi’s claims of zero-tolerance to human rights violations. Kashmiris are still in mourning over the killing of 112 youth and teenagers last year by armed forces while using force to quell peaceful protests. The fresh killing has added salt to the wound of Kashmiris.

ZERO-TOLERANCE EXPOSED: SAJAD
 Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone said the youth’s killing by Army is “shame on those who talk about zero tolerance on human rights violations. Equally shameful was persisting with the culture of trite meaningless inquiries. The deaths have become mere statistics here. How long Kashmiris would continue to die?” Lone asked.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 5 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 5 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST