Pulwama, Nov 18: Accusing the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party of hoodwinking the people of Kashmir, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said that neither of the parties have powers to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state.
Speaking to media persons here about the controversy surrounding AFSPA, Mirwaiz said, “Army rejecting the proposal of Chief Minister about the revocation of AFSPA even from certain parts of state clearly indicates that pro-India parties like National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party are mere toys in the hands of New Delhi.”
He said that none of these parties have the power to revoke the Act and they are just hoodwinking the people.
On the reunification of Hurriyat factions, Mirwaiz said that efforts in this regard were on.
Earlier, while addressing a rally, Mirwaiz reiterated that United Nations resolutions or tripartite talks were the only solution to the Kashmir issue. He also asked the government to release all prisoners and stop harassing youth.
“If India and Pakistan want to engage in dialogue process and have better ties with each other then it is imperative to create an conducive atmosphere for that. The government should release all innocent Kashmiris who continue to languish in jails and stop subjecting them to torture in interrogation centers,” said Mirwaiz.
He said that there has been no let up in the arrest spree and harassment of youth in the valley at the hands of government forces.
“India is trying to suppress the freedom movement through the barrel of gun but people of Kashmir have also shown their resilient approach and will fight for their rights till they achieve their goal,” Mirwaiz said.
Maintaining that any solution thrust by India or Pakistan upon the Kashmiris won’t be acceptable to the people, Mirwaiz said, “It is the people of Kashmir who have to decide the future of Kashmir and not India and Pakistan and the implementation of the United Nations resolutions or tripartite talks are the only viable solution to the Kashmir imbroglio.”
Mirwaiz said that Kashmir issue was maintaining a centre stage in international politics and Hurriyat Conference would continue to raise the voice of Kashmiris on every forum whether it was United Nations or European Parliament.
Blaming the state government for ‘muzzling the pro-freedom voice,’ Mirwaiz said, “While the pro-Indian leaders are being provided plenty of political space and they are free to move any where and express their views, restrictions are being put on pro-freedom camp and they are not being allowed to move freely.”
Stating that the pro freedom camp was united, Mirwaiz said, “We might have difference of opinion but we are united in our goal that the people of Kashmir should be given the right to decide their future.”
He cautioned the people against certain ‘vested interests’ who, he said, were creating wedge among Muslims on sectarian grounds.
Earlier, addressing people before Friday prayers at Masjid Imam-ul-Azam Chatapora, the Mirwaiz expressed concern over waywardness, drug abuse and conversion. He asked the youth to refrain from these activities and sought cooperation of Ulema and mohalla committees on these issues. Mirwaiz said he has called Ulema conference on November 20 to debate these issues in detail.
In reply to a question during informal chat with media persons, the Hurriyat (M) Chairman said MLA Engineer Rashid had sought an appointment to meet him a few days back during which his views were sought on Afzal Guru issue in the aftermath of alleged silence adopted by NC and PDP in the Assembly.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST