Expressing serious concern over the fresh LoC flare-up between Indian and Pakistani armies, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday urged both the nuclear powers to stop the mayhem and killings at the border and start a process of peacefully settling the Kashmir dispute.Addressing a Friday gathering at the historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz said that it is a war at LoC especially in Uri, Samba and Kathua sectors as the two armies of India and Pakistan are exchanging heavy artillery fire resulting in the senseless loss of innocent civilians on the both sides of the fence. He said not only civilians but soldiers on both sides of LoC also continue to get killed due to the continuous exchange of firing.“Such a situation has now become routine at the LOC as it remains heated most of the year with big bangs of exchange of mortars between the armies of two countries,” he said.Mirwaiz said that unless New Delhi gives up its obduracy regarding the dispute and gives real peace a chance there is no guarantee that the situation will change and improve. He said one fails to understand why the leadership of both the countries is delaying the resolution of the issue when it is in the interest of the people of both sides to start a sustained dialogue for the resolution of Kashmir dispute, which is the root cause of tension between them.“It is long overdue that New Delhi and Islamabad allow the leadership of two divided parts of Kashmir including Gilgit-Baltistan, Ladakh, Pakistan-administered Kashmir and this part of Jammu and Kashmir to meet with each other and decide on their future course of action regarding their destiny.
As such a step is of utmost importance for finding a resolution of Kashmir dispute, acceptable to all parties most importantly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said adding that Hurriyat leadership will extend its full support to every serious effort aimed at resolving Kashmir so that peace prevails in the region and bloodshed stops.Commenting on the “shocking” incident involving the Major from Indian Army who had tied local Farooq Dar to his jeep and paraded him as human shield last year surfaced involving a local girl from the same district of Budgam where he is stationed. “It shows the terror these people have struck in the hearts of locals that as per the news report the girl’s family did not even report the couple of nocturnal visit this army man with his accomplice made to the house of the girl. They were threatened with getting killed if they told anyone,” he said.Hurriyat (M) chairman said it is precisely because of the absolute immunity from accountability that draconian law like AFSPA provides the armed forces that they do as they please as in this case. Since the armed forces know come what may they will be saved even if found guilty and instead of being punished will be rewarded as Major Gogoi was in the human shield case they do as they please, he said.“It is this unaccountability that emboldens the forces and leads to repression harassment intimidation and instilling fear that is pushing Kashmiris to the wall and in a way forcing the young to take to arms to avenge the atrocities,” he said.
Mirwaiz said instead of registering a case against this “shameless” man and taking action, the local authorities let him scot free. “This incident brings to fore the vulnerability of Kashmiris even that of our women as a consequence of being under the yoke of oppression,” he said.Meanwhile, Mirwaiz expressed growing concern over the degradation of moral values within the Kashmiri society and urged people to unite and stand up to fight against the menace of liquor consumption, drug abuse and other such immoral activities. He asked parents to keep a close watch on their children and asked the youth to ensure that the social fabric stays clean.Mirwaiz also announced he will be addressing a religious gathering at the shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) Khanyar on 10th Ramadhan after Zuhr prayers, on 11th Ramdhan (Sunday) at Krala Masjid Hawal, on 13th Ramadhan (Tuesday) at Masjid Shareef Tengpora Zoonimar, on 14th Ramadhan (Wednesday) at Masjid-e-Shareef Lakhripora, Nowshehra and on 15th Ramadhan at Masjid-e-Shareef Narwara. (GNS)