Srinagar, July 11: Swami Adhokshaja Anand Teerth Puri Shankaracharya, who is currently on visit to Kashmir, met the senior separatist leaders including Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik here and discussed with them the prevailing situation in Kashmir and other issues.
 During his hour-long meeting with Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani yesterday at his Hyderpora residence here, Swami was apprised about the prevailing situation in the state.
 Geelani told Swami that New Delhi was “storing arms and ammunitions in Jammu Kashmir in a large quantity to perpetuate its control.” He said New Delhi has “virtually transformed the whole state into a garrison.”
 “New Delhi is not sincere in resolving Kashmir issue peacefully. When the situation worsens in the state, they (New Delhi rulers) feel the importance of talks,” said Geelani adding that “the army chief’s announcement that there would be no reduction in the strength of armed forces in Jammu Kashmir reflected the New Delhi’s imperialistic policy.”
 Quoting a police statement on presence of militants in the state, Geelani told the Swami that there were only 200 militants present in whole Jammu Kashmir. “So there is no justification for deploying 7.5 lakh armed forces against them. Basically, New Delhi virtually wants to project the Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle in a wrong and misleading way to keep its military option open for its resolution,” Geelani, according to a Hurriyat statement, said.
 Giving a detailed account of human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by the police and armed forces in the state, Geelani said hundreds of innocent Kashmiris were currently languishing in various jails in and outside Valley and there was no end to the process of arresting youth. “In jails the detainees are subjected to physical and mental torture. The detainees are subjected to worst torture in Kote Balwal and Amphala Jails,” he added.
 Geelani clarified that the people of the state were not averse to talks in principle. “However, until New Delhi recognizes Jammu Kashmir as a disputed territory, we cannot sit on the table for talks. Besides, New Delhi has to demilitarize the whole state, revoke all black laws and release all detainees for making atmosphere congenial for talks. All the armed forces involved in the civilian killings are to be brought to justice in the court of law.” 
 Swami, according to Hurriyat statement, hailed Geelani’s stand on Kashmir issue and pointed out that no process would help resolve this issue without him (Geelani). Swami said various powers in India did not want that Kashmiri issue should be resolved.    

MEETING WITH MIRWAIZ        
 During his meeting with Hurriyat Conference (M), Swami was apprised about the Kashmir problem and continuing human rights violations. He was also informed about the Hurriyat efforts on local and international level to amicably solve the Kashmir dispute.
 Swami on the occasion, according to a Hurriyat statement, said he had come to pay obeisance at sacred holy Amanath cave, but expressed concern over the prevailing situation in Kashmir.
 Acharaya said being a religious man he would speak truth and would apprise the people in India about the real situation of Kashmir. He said Kashmir was a recognized dispute and was important for him to contribute towards the peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue as per the dominant public political aspirations.
 Being a prominent religious figure, Acharyaji said he would officially invite Mirwaiz in the upcoming sacred Kumb Mela so that he can put the Kashmiri point of view and prevailing situation of Kashmir before the common masses of India.

MEETING WITH MALIK
 Swami had also a long and pleasant meeting with the chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Muhammad Yasin Malik today at the latter’s residence at Maisuma here.
 Welcoming Swami, Malik hoped that he would convey massage and aspirations of Kashmiris to crores of people of India. He said when Swami had first visited Kashmir in 1997 and he felt sad on seeing the human rights violation perpetrated by the armed forces and had, at a press conference in Calcutta, condemned the atrocities on Kashmiris.
 Malik told Swami that people of Kashmir were not fighting against of people of India but “We are fighting against the rulers who have usurped our right of freedom”.
 Swami on the occasion said that he had always been feeling restless for Kashmiris and considered their pain and agony as his own. “Human being and humanity are same and there is no difference and discrimination between the two,” he said, adding that all the humans are equal and no one has the authority to divide them in the name of religion, colour and race.
 Swami, according to Front statement, said, “Kashmiris are fighting for their right. The hearts and conscience of the people who stand by the truth are with them.”  He quoted different references from Mahabarata on the battle between truth and falsehood, saying that truth has always come out victorious because falsehood is never based on firm ground.
 Swami on the occasion invited Malik to participate in this year’s Khumb Mela to put forth his point of view on Kashmir issue before the crores of people there.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST