Divisive forces want 2008-like situation in Kashmir: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Hurriyat (M) seminar

Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday said divisive forces “active” in Kashmir and Jammu region are “trying to create a 2008-like situation to give an impression that the freedom movement is confined to Kashmiri Muslims only.” 
He was addressing a seminar titled ‘Khonay Shaheeda Ranglayega’ (Martyrs’ sacrifices will bear fruit) to commemorate the sixth martyrdom anniversary of slain Hurriyat (M) leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz. Aziz was killed on August 11 in 2008 while leading a march to Muzaffarbad.
“The main motive of these divisive forces is to grab power,” Mirwaiz said. But, he said, “they have failed in the past and will face defeat in future as well. We will give them a befitting reply that people of all three regions, be it Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims are all part of the Kashmir’s genuine freedom struggle.”
He said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development mantra—‘Sab Ka Vikas’—would not work for Kashmir. “He and his government should realize that Kashmir is different from rest of India and announcing packages and inaugurating projects won’t change the basic nature of the Kashmir issue,” he said. The Government of India, Mirwaiz said, should understand that Kashmir is purely a political issue which needs a political solution. 
He said holding elections and constructing roads won’t have any bearing on the Kashmir issue. On return of Kashmiri Pandits, he said it is unfortunate that some people are exploiting the KPs to create a wedge between them and the Muslims. “KPs should not fall prey to such elements and should promote harmony for which Kashmir is known for years. They should reject the disintegration of Kashmiri society of which they are an important part,” he said.  He said the KPs had been visiting Kousar Nag in the past at individual levels and nobody objected to that. “The people this time opposed the move of the Reasi administration which had announced it would construct a temple-like structure and divert the 90 lakh Vaisno Devi pilgrims to Kousar Nag,” Mirwaiz said.  
He said the Hurriyat would welcome the KPs back home. 
On continued restrictions on movement of Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz said it is very unfortunate that the aged leader is barred from offering Friday and Eid prayers. “We condemn this highhandedness of the authorities,” he said.
Taking a dig at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for suggesting the Kashmir youth to choose other alternatives to register their anger, Mirwaiz said the announcement seems to be a big joke. “Where is the political space for the youth? What happened when youth resorted to peaceful way of registering their protest in year 2008, 2009, 2010?” he said.
On the upcoming foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, Mirwaiz said the two countries should make the dialogue result-oriented and Kashmir-specific. “The two nations need to create an atmosphere for a composite dialogue with Kashmiri leadership on board for the early resolution of the vexed issue,” he said. 
Mirwaiz later highlighted social, religious and political contribution of Sheikh Aziz. Other leaders and party activists present on the occasion included Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Moulana Abbas Ansari, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam; Syed Saleem Geelani, Hilal War, Javaid Mir, Hakeem Abdur Rashid, Yasmeen Raja and others. The speakers paid glowing tributes to Aziz and pledged to take the mission of martyrs to its logical conclusion.