Held Kashmir a bone of contention between India and Pakistan: Geelani

HELD SRINAGAR: Terming the Kashmir issue as a bone of contention between India and Pakistan, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Geelani, has said sincere steps are needed to resolve this dispute.

“Under the garb of Uri episode euphoria of war-like situation is being created by the Indian media and their politicians. It is evident that their intention is to put the issue under the 

carpet, and for this purpose they are resorting to blame game against Pakistan,” Geelani said in a statement ridiculing what he called the accusation campaign.

“The need of the hour is that India should shun its denial tactics and accept the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir and start parleys for addressing the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. But it is very sad and disheartening that vitiating situation between the two countries is increasing with every passing day,” Geelani said.

“It is ridiculous and unwise to add fuel to the already vitiated situation, and God forbid if a war between the two breaks out the subcontinent can’t be saved from destruction and devastation,” he said.

In his appeal to the international community, Geelani said they owe an obligation, and they can’t ignore their responsibilities as they are morally bound to help the parties for a lasting and meaningful solution of Kashmir issue. 

Syed Ali Geelani said, “We are striving for a just cause through peaceful means, and no law on earth can denounce the peaceful struggle or deny the right to pursue the freedom movement. We are peace-loving, and despite all this face the tyranny and repression from state authorities. Instead of facing us on political turf we are being caged. The resistance leaders and activists are being detained for years.”

Terming the arrest of resistance leaders, activists and youth as unjustified, Geelani condemned the slapping of Public Safety Act (PSA) on party’s spokesmen Ayaz Akbar and Noor Muhammad Kalwal and sending them to Kot Balwal jail. 

He said continuous detention of ailing leader Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai has taken a toll on his health. Flaying the authorities for continuous detention of Mirwaiz Molvi Umar Farooq,
Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Zahid Ali and human rights activist Khuram Pervaiz, Geelani said despite tall claims, New Delhi and its puppets were violating ethics and international norms.