Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said that the recent statements of the union ministers that the Armed Forces’ Special Powers Act (AFSPA) would continue to remain place in Jammu and Kashmir were the indicative of New Delhi’s intention to “muzzle and crush the genuine Kashmir struggle with its military might”.
“The recent statements by RSS and ministers in government of India make it clear that the New Delhi will continue with its stubborn and unrealistic policy in dealing with the Kashmir dispute militarily,” Mirwaiz said while addressing Friday congregational gathering at Jamia Masjid in Downtown here.
Miwaiz said, “Adopting such an approach and looking at Kashmir through a military prism is a big mistake that they are making as the history of people’s struggles for the realization of their political will can never be crushed through force and on the strength of military might.”
“The natural outcome of repression is rebellion and resistance and the more New Delhi decides to deal with the situation on ground through repression the more people of Kashmir especially the youth will be forced to resist and rebel and sometimes unfortunately violently. For, repression triggers further anger among the common masses,” Mirwaiz said, adding that “The rigid policy of New Delhi is pushing Kashmir’s educated youth to wall and forcing them to choose armed means as a form of resistance against the forcible control which is extremely distressing and painful.”
Mirwaiz said, “The announcements that plastic bullets will now be added to the lethal arsenal of forces who already use bullets pellets, tear gas shells, pepper gas and chilly grenades, will only increase the anger and hostility among Kashmiris. It is another indicator of how New Delhi views the problem and how it sees the people of Kashmir.”
On the occasion, Mirwaiz felicitated Pakistan on ‘Pakistan Day’, stating that, “Pakistan has been actively supporting Muslims across the globe in their genuine demands and has always been a great supporter to Kashmiris, on moral, and diplomatic front. “
Mirwaiz prayed for Pakistan’s stability and hoped that the country would touch new heights in progress and development.