MIRWAIZ SOFTENS STANCE
Hurriyat chief says there are only two ways to end Kashmir dispute, either through an international agreement, or India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir will have to sit to resolve it
SRINAGAR: H UR RI Y AT Conference chairman MirwaizU mar Farooq said on Friday that if India has changed its policy vis-à-vis Kashmir and Pakistan, it is a welcome step. Addressing a congregation on Jumat-ulvida, the last Friday of Ramzan at Jamia Masjid), Mirwaiz, in veiled reference to offer of talks from the Centre said it remains to be seen whether there is a change in policy, approach or change in circumstances. “Time will tell us. If it is change in the policy, we will welcome it.’’
The Hurriyat chief said it remains to be seen what the government’s approach is. “In Kashmir, they speak one language and in Delhi their tone is different,” he said.
SRINAGAR : Hurriyat Conference chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said if India has changed its policy vis-à-vis Kashmir and Pakistan, they welcome it.
Addressing a congregation on Jumat -ul –Vida, the last Friday of Ramzan, at city’s Grand Mosque, Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz in veiled reference towards the offer of talks from the Centre said it is yet to be seen whether there is a change in policy, approach or change in circumstances.
“Time will tell us. If there is a change in policy, we will welcome it just like we have welcomed it in the past too,’’ he said.
He also said there are only two ways to solve Kashmir dispute.
“Either it needs to be resolved through an international agreement or India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir will have to sit to resolve it.”
Pointing towards New Delhi, Hurriyat chairman said it is to be seen what is their approach and what are they saying.
“Indian leadership talk in different voices. In Kashmir they speak one language and in Delhi their tone is different,’’ he said, adding that the Indian government is saying one thing and their ministers are speaking a different language.“we are not in a hurry and people should show unity. It’s the unity, which has forced India to think that force can’t weaken the resolve of people,” he said.
Mirwaiz further said peace will only return by resolving Kashmir issue.
“Now, army generals have also realised that they can’t win this war by excessive use of force and strengthen the resolve of people,’’ he said, adding that in past 30 years, India used every tactics and force to suppress the people of Kashmir. “Even after killing lakhs, people are not afraid of them,” he added.
Mirwaiz said atrocities have been going here from past 30 years, however, from past four years since the BJP came to power, atrocities have increased. “Initially, we thought that the government will adopt the same policy adopted by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Also, he had started talks not only with Pakistan but also with the leadership of Kashmir,’’ he said.
Hurriyat leader said the BJP government has changed the policy.
“Also, they have stopped talking to Hurriyat, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir and closed foreign secretary-level talks. Instead, they used economic, political and legal ways to weaken the ongoing struggle of people of Kashmir. Even National Investigative Agency (NIA) was used against separatist leaders who are under detention for past one year.’’
Indian leadership talk in different voices. In Kashmir they speak one language and in Delhi their tone is different. Indian govt is saying one thing and their ministers are speaking a different language.
MIRWAIZ UMAR FAROOQ, chairman, Hurriyat Conference