As poll dates for the flood ravaged J&K were announced from Nov 25, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Saturday upped ante against election process, urging people to stay away from the ‘futile’ exercise.Mirwaiz told KNS that it was unfortunate that polls were announced at the time when Kashmir was crying for help after the devastating floods. Mirwaiz maintained that the announcement vindicates that the GoI wants to pert the attention of world community from the ground crises in Kashmir, by announcing polls. “Now all focus will be shifted to the election conduction with the flood victims again left to suffer. This is saddening and unfortunate that such process has again been initiated that has yielded nothing for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The Hurriyat (M) chairman also slammed the GoI over ‘blocking’ the international aid to flood hit JK, saying the approach adopted by proves its mindset vis-à-vis the flood victims. “On one hand, GoI raises hollow slogans of rehabilitation and on the other announces polls dates. How come would they prove to the world that they care for people of Kashmir?”While retreating his stand vis-à-vis polls, Mirwaiz said that Hurriyat has already rejected the poll process and considers it ‘futile’. He added that elections in no way could be the substitute of right to self determination. “We ask people to reject these polls and stay away from this process,” Mirwaiz maintained. (KNS)