Permanent peace possible only with Kashmir solution: Mirwaiz

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the permanent peace in Kashmir will come only if the Kashmir issue is solved. He said that incoming of lakhs of yatris and visitors to Kashmir should not be misconstrued as the arrival of peace.
Mirwaiz made these remarks while addressing the people at the main Chowk Chadoora. He addressed people after he offered prayers at the local Jamia Masjid.
Reacting to the statement of Indian home minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde that hurriyat should help in bringing peace in Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz said that the hurriyat has always wanted peace, but this “peace should be founded on justice and granting rights to people”.
“Till the justice and rights remain elusive, you cannot dream of peace,” Mirwaiz said while addressing the mammoth gathering.
APHC chairman said that occupying Kashmiri people by using seven lakh troops and then dreaming of peace was just a futile exercise.
Terming the recent statement of Indian defence minister as unrealistic and contrary to the existing facts on the ground, Mirwaiz said those people who have imposed military occupation on Kashmir, usurped the political rights of Kashmiri masses by invoking black laws, are living cozily in their homes. He said that those people have no bunkers outside their homes, nor they are living life under military occupation, neither their children are called to police station ahead of Indian republic day or Indian Independence day or on eid days.
Mirwaiz said that it was highly regrettable that government of India was consistently changing it stance by making different statements. He said that till GOI does not show a realistic and serious attitude to address the issue, it can’t be expected that there would be change in the existing situation or a creation of favorable atmosphere which could lead to solve the vexed Kashmir dispute.
Categorically rejecting the bilateral dialogue in connection with the Kashmir issue, Mirwaiz stressed that India and Pakistan should make Kashmiris part of the negotiations. He said only then steps could be taken to resolve the long pending dispute.
Referring to the re-election of Barrack Obama as US president, Mirwaiz said during his first term, the US president had talked about the Kashmir issue. He said afterwards for four long years, he didn’t showed any keenness or interest in Kashmir issue. He said it happened because the US interests were lying with the India. He said even if the US president has talked about the economic progress in the region, but he should know that economics and improvement in the political situation is all connected with the Kashmir issue.
Mirwaiz said that APHC wants the solution of Kashmir according to the aspirations of Kashmiri people. He said that is why the APHC delegation would visit Kashmir and apprise the Pakistani establishment about the emotions and aspirations of Kashmiri people.
APHC Chairman said that the conglomerate has already presented five recommendations for creating a conducive atmosphere which could lead to solution of Kashmir issue. He, however, said GOI never implemented those recommendations. He said till GOI does not show seriousness and brings a tangible change in its rigid attitude, the situation would never improve as far as negotiations are concerned or improvement in situation is concerned.
He said that on international level, APHC would continue to represent Kashmiris on forums like European Union, NAM, OIC etc.
Amid Pro-freedom slogans, APHC Chairman made it clear that hurriyat would remain on its stand like a rock. He said that apart from highlighting the Kashmir dispute, APHC would also highlight the daily problems of people like shortage of power, water, LPG and other essential commodities.