Srinagar, July 6: Hitting out at the state government for trying to bring in Israelis to the Valley with a “dangerous agenda” behind the move, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday warned the government to desist from taking any “provocative” step that could affront the sentiments of Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir with perilous consequences.
He asked the state government to come clean on why and what for an official delegation had been deputed to the Israeli capital Tel Aviv recently.
While urging India-Pakistan to accelerate dialogue process and involve Kashmiris in talks, Mirwaiz “rejected” the government probe in Dastgeer Sahab (RA) shrine fire and called for an impartial probe into tragic incident. Addressing the Friday congregation at historic Jamia Masjid here, Mirwaiz said there seems something “highly suspicious” behind the “clandestine” move of Jammu and Kashmir government to woo Israeli tourists to Kashmir for which an official delegation has already visited the region.
“We are not against tourists coming to Kashmir, but there definitely is some ulterior motive behind encouraging Israelis to visit the Valley,” he said, adding maximum Israelis are linked with Mossad - an Israeli intelligence agency responsible for covert operations against Muslims, as well as bringing Jews from worldwide ad settling them illegally in the Palestinian territory.
Mirwaiz said Jammu and Kashmir government should come clear on wooing Zionists as well as trip of its official delegation to Tel Aviv - capital of Israel.
“Why high level delegation of Jammu and Kashmir has gone to Israel? Why government is wooing a limited community to Kashmir? Government owes an explanation for all these things,” Mirwaiz said, adding that New Delhi and State Government should keep in mind that Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim majority state and any move which would hurt the sentiments of Muslims would have serious ramifications.
“Government knows that Muslims all over the world have problem with Israel due to its anti- Muslim policies and issue of Masjid Aqsa is not only issue of Palestine, but it is an emotional issue for entire Muslim ummah,” Mirwaiz said.
Mirwaiz’s remarks come in the backdrop of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department’s proactive move to woo Israeli tourists to Kashmir.
Director Tourism, Kashmir, Talat Pervez, had last month at a press conference said: “Israel has not issued travel advisory for Kashmir and a number of tourists from that country have been visiting the Valley and Ladakh in the past. We are keen that maximum number of tourists from Israel should visit Kashmir. That is why we are visiting the country and we would do a road show in Tel Aviv.”
Welcoming Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan, Mirwaiz urged both the countries to speed up dialogue process for settlement of Kashmir issue.
“It is high time that both countries take urgent steps for resolving the dispute,” Mirwaiz said, adding that solution of Kashmir is impossible without involvement of Kashmiris in dialogue process.
“You can take Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in bilateral dialogue process, but for finding political solution of Kashmir, you should move to trilateral dialogue process,” Mirwaiz said.
He also called for serious engagement and institutionalization of dialogue process, saying that they don’t want just an event or photo-op.
Expressing satisfaction over the joint statement of India and Pakistan over CBMs, Mirwaiz called for simplifying cross-LoC trade and travel procedures, saying that the operational control of these CBMs lies with agencies and not the people.
Virtually rejecting government probe into Dastgeer Sahab (RA) shrine blaze, Mirwaiz said: “Government probe cannot do justice in the matter and there is a dire need for holding impartial probe into the matter which should also include Muslim scholars and civil society members.”
Calling for complete shutdown on Martyrs Day (July 13), Hurriyat (M) chairman said the conglomerate will offer Fateaha (prayers) to martyrs at Mazar Naqashband Sahab after Friday prayers.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST