International pressure rising on India, Pakistan over Kashmir, says Umar Farooq

SRINAGAR - Separatist Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday said that international pressure was now mounting on New Delhi and Islamabad over the issue of Kashmir and demanded the Kashmiris should be included in any negotiation between India and Pakistan over the disputed region.

“We think that on the Kashmir issue, pressure is exerted on both the countries to hold talks, have composite dialogue, and Kashmiris should also be involved in that,” said Farooq after his return from Geneva.

Farooq also said that special powers given to armed forces should be repealed in Kashmir.

“Human rights violation and the prevailing black laws …international support is growing on the demand of demilitarisation in Kashmir. We demand that the process of demilitarisation should start and prevailing black laws such as Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, and others, should be repealed so that a common Kashmir can lead a normal life,” he said. (ANI)