Srinagar, July 22: President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and former Member of Parliament Simranjit Singh Maan on Friday demanded immediate revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and other controversial laws in Jammu and Kashmir.
 “These inhumane and draconian laws should go as force personnel who commit crimes are not punished in the state due to the impunity enjoyed by them, “Mann told Greater Kashmir.
 Terming separatist leaders as true representatives, Mann said, “They have given sacrifices and nurtured the movement with their blood and are real representatives of Kashmiris."
 The Sikh leader said the only resolution of Kashmir issue was the implementation of the resolutions passed by United Nations Security Council.
 “But before their implementation, India should restore pre-1952 position of Kashmir,” he said.
 Terming the appointment of interlocutors as futile exercise, he said, “This is just time consuming tactic to befool the world. It is being done to show the world that Kashmiris are being engaged.”
 Flaying government for imposing curbs on separatist leaders, Mann said that frequent restrictions show that there is no religious freedom in Kashmir.
 Mann along with other Sikh leaders laid Chaddar on Martyr’s graveyard at Eidgah and also met prominent separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabbir Ahmed Shah and Zaffar Akbar Bhat today. Besides they also visited the family of youth killed during last year’s unrest.
 “During interaction with the group, Geelani Sahib apprised them about the historical background of Kashmir issue and human rights violations committed during past 64- years especially during last two decades,” a spokesman of Hurriyat (G) said.
 “Our youth are being killed by forces and the honour of our women of is not safe due to the presence of armed forces,” the spokesman quoted Geelani as having said. 
 Chairman of Democratic Freedom Party Shabir Ahmed Shah expressed gratitude to the delegation for supporting the Kashmir movement.
 “Being one of the contributors of Indian economy through agriculture, you should play a role in resolution of the Kashmir issue,” he said.
 Meanwhile, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, said he told them that "Indian leaders are  claiming that peace process is on while the situation on the ground is worsening with each passing day.”
 Zaffar reiterated that the Kashmir issue could be resolved peacefully only when forces are withdrawn and draconian laws including AFSPA and PSA  are revoked and all political detainees are released.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST