RSD only solution to K-dispute: Geelani

Srinagar: Asserting that the right to self determination was the only solution to the Kashmir dispute, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Thursday said that peace, not war was the solution to the Kashmir issue. “I told them that Kashmir is a disputed territory. India has been occupying our land since 1947 with over one million of their forces. Our lives have been made miserable. Our natural resources have been occupied, chastity of women tarnished, residential colonies turned into rubble,” Geelani told media men after meeting four-member, Kashmir Committee headed by prominent Supreme Court lawyer, Ram Jethmalani this afternoon.Ram Jethmalani was joined by three other members-Madhu Kishwar, VK Grover and Waheed-ur-Rahman. “We desire for peace. We don’t want war. But India is in the race of acquiring arms to strengthen occupation in Kashmir. It’s a historical fact that India took up Kashmir issue to the United Nations Security Council. We want the promises made by India at the UN, where 18 resolutions were passed. Right to self determination is a genuine cause. We want this right to be granted to us,” he added.Geelani said that the demand for right to self determination was not only for the Muslims, but for all the people who are permanent residents of the state.The veteran leader said that over 354 people have been killed by the government forces since 2008. In 2010, he said 118 innocent people were killed, many of them charged after death. “Even the youth who picked up stones for self-defense are being harassed. They are being booked under Public Safety Act and shifted to Jammu jails,” he said.He said it was evident fact that Army was occupying Kashmir with its military might and the occupation was ‘unjustified and illegitimate’. He said he told the delegation that Kashmiris were a peace loving nation who has been carrying out peaceful freedom struggle against the occupation. “Our peaceful struggle is aimed to end this illegitimate occupation. Kashmir is ruled by Army and police,” he added.Geelani said that Indian media, both electronic and print were not informing the people of India about the situation in Kashmir. “I told the delegation to tell the people that Kashmiris are not communal. We respected every human being,” he said.The Hurriyat Chairman also expressed his willingness to meet the people from India who have no government affiliation. “My dear brother and other respected citizens met me. We welcome them whole heartedly. We want Indians to meet us especially the people, who have no government affiliation,” Geelani added.Geelani also raised the issue of his house arrest and arrest of his driver with the committee members.Pertinently, the four-member Kashmir Committee drove to the Hyderpora residence of the veteran pro-freedom leader, shortly after arriving in this summer capital on their four-day visit this afternoon.Addressing media men, Kashmir Committee, chief, Ram Jethmalani said that he was aware of the views expressed by Geelani in the meeting. He said he assured Geelani to address his grievances with New Delhi. “The redressal of grievances will create conducive atmosphere for talks. However, any solution to the Kashmir issue has to be violence and terrorism free. Solution has to be through peaceful means,” he said.”I do not claim we have found the solution or that the solution will be found tomorrow or the day after. But, the hospitality shown by Geelani today proves it is not difficult to find a permanent solution to the problem,” he added.In April this year, Jethmalani said he hosted 150 lawyers of Pakistan’s Supreme Court in Jaipur.”After four days of deliberations, a resolution was adopted at the Jaipur conference. The resolution demanded that India and Pakistan must sign a no-war pact. All terrorists are outlaws. All problems between the two countries must be resolved through dialogue, arbitration or through reference to the International Court of Justice,” he said.