Budgam, June 15: Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq Friday said there is no rift in the amalgam.
 Addressing a public gathering at Imam Bara Chowk here, Mirwaiz said that “there can be difference of opinion in the amalgam but there is no division on the goal of the forum.”
 “Our party represents blood of Kashmiris.  We will safeguard the sacrifices rendered by common people at any cost,” he said.
 Mirwaiz said Kashmir should be resolved according to the aspirations of the people. “Kashmiris should be given the right to choose their destiny. We have given immense sacrifices for this cause. This movement is dear to us. We cannot forget the blood of martyrs,” he said, asserting that “Our silence should not be taken as our weakness. If New Delhi as well as its puppets in Kashmir think that curbs, arrests and house detentions will scare us, they are mistaken.”
 Advocating confidence building measures between India and Pakistan, Mirwaiz said: “Government should also allow movement of private cars between two parts of Kashmir, résumé air services, and allow free movement of people on both sides on the basis of state-subject.”
 Mirwaiz said the “only way to reduce animosity between the two neighboring countries is to address the Kashmir issue and resolve it.” “We are not against Indo-Pak trade ties. However at the same time we won’t allow the Kashmir issue to be put on back-burner,” he said.
 Mirwaiz also accused the state government of playing politics in the name of normalcy in Kashmir. “If they claim that normalcy has returned, then why they are not repealing all the black laws and demilitarize Kashmir?” he asked.
 Senior member of the amalgam, Agha Syed Hassan al-Mousivi said that people of Budgam have always maintained unity.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST