Elections add insult to injury of flood victims: Freedom camp ‘New Delhi’s shoddy rehabilitation process political vengeance’ ARIF SHAFI WANI Srinagar, Oct 25: Senior separatist leaders on Saturday hit out at New Delhi for alleged shoddy rehabilitation of flood victims and announcement of Assembly elections, saying it adds insult to the injury of Kashmiris. The separatist leaders urged people to boycott the elections saying, It cannot be substitute to right to self- determination. “It is ironical that India announced election schedule in the state at a time when thousands of flood hit families are living under open sky. This clearly shows that India is interested to pursue its agenda for strengthening its illegal control of the state by cheap means like elections than rehabilitating the flood affected people,” said Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani. “Elections are meaningless for Kashmiris as the process cannot be substitute to the right to self-determination guaranteed by the United Nations with India as its signatory. All pro-India parties who shed crocodile tears on the plight of victims were eagerly waiting for election schedule. I make a fervent appeal to Kashmiris to remain cautions of their nefarious designs and boycott elections,” he said. Elaborating, Geelani said property worth over Rs 40,000 crores is estimated have been destroyed in the floods. “The relief package of Rs 570 announced by Prime Minister of India NarendraModi is a sheer joke with Kashmiris who pay crores of rupees out of their hard earned money as taxes to the Government of India. We have seen how quickly India responded with rescue and rehabilitation of people when port city of Visakhapatnam was hit by cyclone. In contrast, India left people in flood ravaged Kashmir to fend for themselves. Even when winter is approaching fast, people whose houses collapsed in the deluge are living in tents and temporary accommodations,” he said. The Hurriyat (G) Chairman said humanitarian measures are allowed even in wars. “India has stopped international aid for rehabilitation of Kashmiris. This is inhuman and against international covenants. We will soon formulate a strategy to counter the elections and raise our voice against stopping of international aid,” he added. Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Muhammad Yasin Malik, termed the announcement of election schedule as “worst form of human rights violations.” “Thousands of people are shelter-less, over two lakh houses from south to north Kashmir have been declared unsafe. This is worst form of human rights violation to seek votes from people who are virtually on streets,” Malik said. Malik said “criminal negligence” of the government led to breaches in river Jhelum embankments. He said in natural calamities like Kashmir floods, only international help can help in rehabilitation process. “The Indian Prime Minister came to Kashmir, celebrated Diwali with troops in Siachen and gave peanuts for rehabilitation of flood hit Kashmiris. India went a step ahead with its anti-Kashmir agenda by stopping international aid to Kashmiris. This should serve as an eye-opener to international community,” he said. Malik accused the mainstream parties of being responsible for miseries of Kashmiris. “Since 1947, pro-India parties have been acting as surrogates of India by imposing elections to weaken the ongoing movement for right to self-determination,” he said. Malik said the stand of JKLF on elections is clear. “We appeal people to stay away from the so-called electoral process like in the past and uphold the supreme sacrifices of Kashmiris for freedom,” the JKLF Chairman added. Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq termed the announcement of election schedule as “adding insult to injury of Kashmiris.” “The announcement for election schedule in the state vindicates our stand that India is diluting Kashmir issue and delaying its resolution by raking up electoral and administrative issues. Elections will shift the focus from rehabilitation of the flood victims. The announcement of peanut rehabilitation package by Indian Prime Minister and election schedule is adding insult to injury of Kashmiris,” he said. Elaborating, he said, “Elections are farce for Kashmiris and they have never believed in the process.” “Kashmiris have been rendering unflinching sacrifices for right to self-determination, and not elections under Indian Constitution. It is inhuman to even ask a person whose house was destroyed in floods to cast his vote. This shows mentality of Indian leadership and pro-India parties against Kashmiris,” Mirwaiz said. The Hurriyat (M) Chairman said many countries are ready to help in rehabilitation of Kashmiris. “Ironically, India has stopped international aid to Kashmiris. If Indian leadership thinks that separatists can draw political mileage if international aid reaches Kashmir, let them monitor the process according to law,” he said. He appealed international organizations to register complaints against New Delhi in the United Nations for stopping international aid. Senior leader of Hurriyat Conference Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of National Front, Nayeem Khan, termed the announcement of election schedule as “insensitive.” “Government of India has given priority to elections at the cost of rehabilitation of flood hit people. This act is against humanity. Pro-India parties are pursuing their petty political interests over the sufferings of Kashmiris. I appeal people to give India a befitting reply by boycotting elections,” Khan said.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 04:47:40 +0000
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