Kashmir’s separatist leaders reject outcome of all-party meeting

SRINAGAR - Separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have rejected the outcome of Wednesday’s over five-hour-long All-Party meeting, unanimously terming the endeavor a futile and time buying exercise aimed to deny Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination.

The Chairman of Hurriyat (Geelani) Syed Ali Shah Geelani termed it as a time gaining exercise.

He further said New Delhi and its allies in Kashmir have been creating much hype about the meeting.

“The outcome of the meeting was disappointing and negative for Kashmiris. The pro-India parties stuck to their traditional stand on Kashmir. I have no doubt to say that these meetings have proven to be futile rather time gaining exercise,” Geelani said.

Geelani said it is high time for India and its allies in Kashmir to adopt a realistic approach to resolve the dispute.

“I also make it clear that the Conglomerate will not talk with the All Party Delegation during its visit to Kashmir. I reiterate that ongoing movement will continue till our five demands are implemented on ground,” Geelani maintained.

Geelani rejected the statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the protests in Kashmir are instigated by apparently by the pro-freedom groups.

“New Delhi and the State Government know the reality and they are trying to divert the attention from the ongoing agitation by blaming pro-freedom parties for violence,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik termed the all party meeting a futile exercise.

Malik said in the past 63 years the Kashmir dispute has consumed three generations.

“In 90s, guns were the reference points and it internationally highlighted the Kashmir dispute. After guns, there was a transition of the Kashmiris’ movement into a peaceful stage. However, New Delhi has kept the movement lingering at the cost of Kashmiris,” Malik said.

He said instead of acknowledging the sacrifices of Kashmiris, the All Party Meeting has left no stone unturned to appease the communal and anti-Kashmir parties.

“The meeting took place at a time when Kashmiris are being killed with impunity and whole Valley is continuously reeling under curfew,” he said.

Castigating the BJP for opposing revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) , Malik said when the Party was in power, it engaged even the militant leadership for resolving the Kashmir dispute.

“This shows the BJP’s hypocrisy. It is playing politics on the blood of Kashmiris,” he said.

Malik warned that if India delays the resolution of the dispute, Kashmiris will be forced to take violent recourse.

“Instead of these futile meetings, India should on priority resolve the dispute taking the aspirations of Kashmiris into consideration. Delaying the vexed issue will have dangerous consequences,” Malik maintained.

The Chairman of Hurriyat (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq termed the All Party Meeting as a fagade to hoodwink the international community and Kashmiris.

“The meeting had no clarity of purpose. Infact the participants seemed to be confused and lost and we only trying their best to term the endeavor a success. I want to maintain that Kashmiris are clear in their demands and they won’t relent on their partial fulfillment,” he said.

Mirwaiz said the visit of the All Party delegation to Kashmir would not serve any purpose.

“I fail to understand for what will the All Party Delegation visit the Valley after 90 killings. Everybody is abreast of the situation in Kashmir. India must accept the stark reality that Kashmiris are not sacrificing their lives for jobs or economic packages but right to self-determination,” he said.

“Ironically India is talking through the barrel of gun. Is past two days, over 20 unarmed protesters have been brutally killed. Talks, peace efforts and killings can’t go together. If India is serious it has to translate its concern into actions,” he said.

Mirwaiz condemned the killings of three persons in Poonch terming it a glaring example of state terrorism.

“Now the troopers are targeting the Kashmirs in Jammu’s Muslim dominated areas to suppress the movement. We want to maintain that people of Jammu and Kashmir stand united and committed to achieve the goal,” Mirwaiz said. (ANI)