Srinagar, Mar 29: The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, on Tuesday impressed upon the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to discuss Kashmir dispute on priority during their talks on Wednesday.
 The veteran leader maintained that without resolution of the Kashmir dispute, peace would continue to elude India and Pakistan. “I want to impress upon the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to desist from putting the Kashmir dispute on backburner amidst the cricket diplomacy. Resolution of Kashmir dispute is imperative for peace,” Geelani said while addressing people at Humhama Chowk here.
 Geelani said despite passing of 64-years and change of guards, the Kashmir dispute has been kept unresolved. “Kashmir is not a border dispute between the two countries but concerns millions of Kashmiris. The dispute has pushed the two countries into arms race at the cost of their development and prosperity. Kashmiris have made it clear through peaceful agitations that they only want their inalienable right to self-determination to decide their future,” he said.
 Geelani demanded immediate halt to arbitrary arrests in the Valley. “The atrocities unleashed on the Kashmiris will only increase alienation,” he said.
 Reiterating his appeal for boycott of the upcoming Panchayat elections, Geelani said such exercise won’t help in resolution of Kashmir. Earlier, Geelani paid rich tributes to the youth killed in Humhama during last year’s unrest. He urged the people to carry forward the movement to its logical conclusion.
 Earlier, Geelani visited the houses of Nisar Ahmad Kuchay, Ghulam Rasool Tantray and Adil Ahmad Lone who were killed in last year’s unrest at Humhama. He expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST