Gillani said that.... Chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Syed Ali Geelani Sunday asserted that Jammu and Kashmir was a “natural part of Pakistan” and India should “read the writing on the wall.” Geelani also announced to launch “door-to-door poll boycott campaign” across Kashmir ahead of the 2014 elections. Geelani, who was today elected as chairman of the TeH for the fourth consecutive term, pledged to “foil all attempts aimed at diluting the Kashmir dispute.” “I appeal to TeH cadres to launch door-to-door campaign against the elections to apprise people about the damage which their participation in this process causes to the ongoing right to self-determination,” Geelani said as TeH members reciprocated by shouting pro-freedom slogans at a party convention at Hyderpora here. Geelani said in the previous election, people voted for roads and other basic amenities in Kashmir. “Ironically, Government of India projected it as plebiscite in its favour to befool the international community. In 2012 even Prime Minister of India (Dr Manmohan Singh) during his Red Fort speech beat the trumpet of participation of Kashmiris in Panchayat elections,” he said. “Some parties say our election boycott helps a particular party. I want to make it clear that all pro- oppression parties, whether National Conference, PDP, Congress, BJP, Awami Ithad Party or Peoples Conference, are only strengthening New Delhi’s cause in Kashmir,” he said. Elaborating, Geelani alleged that these parties “facilitated bloodshed of Kashmirs”. “These pro-oppression parties come before people in different forms and agendas to trap them. They also promote sale of liquor, waywardness in our society to divert the attention of people from the ongoing freedom movement. They have no moral ground to rule the State. People must understand the ill-designs of these parties and foil them,” he said. Geelani said in this situation it is the responsibility of TeH to apprise people to boycott the elections. “People of Kashmir have been time and again giving their verdict against India. On August 15 and January 26, Kashmiris observe complete shutdown when whole India celebrates the day. I make a fervent appeal to Kashmiris to respect sacrifices of martyrs and stay away from polls,” he said. Geelani accused New Delhi of vandalizing natural resources of Kashmir. “A conspiracy has been hatched to make Kashmiris dependent. Power generated from our water resources is supplied to other states while over 28 lakhs kanals of land in Kashmir has been occupied by Army. Army has recently encroached upon 856 kanals of land in Bijbehara for construction of Cantonment,” he said. He said TeH will “tooth and nail” oppose the proposed extension of lease of Tosaimaidan firing range to Army. Geelani said since 1947, New Delhi has been using different tactics to deny Kashmiris their inalienable right to self-determination. “Since 2008, 334 civilians have been killed by forces in Kashmir to quell our just movement. Communal forces and Village Defence Committes were given free hand to harass Muslims in Kishtwar. Instead of arresting the accused, innocent Muslim youth are being subjugated and detained,” he said. “People of Jammu and Kashmir whether Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs are all stakeholders in Kashmir dispute. We will foil every conspiracy aimed at dividing people on communal lines,” he said. Geelani said some mainstream leaders lately project Kashmir as a resolved issue. “Kashmir is as disputed as it was in 1947. By virtue by two-nation theory, demography, topography, Jammu and Kashmir is natural part of Pakistan. JK shares 750 miles of border with Pakistan. Kashmiris even celebrate Eid only when moon is sighted in Pakistan. The writing on the wall is clear for India. Delaying of Kashmir resolution won’t deter people of Kashmir from achieving their cherished goal,” Geelani said. — with Sakib Khuroo
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 05:50:29 +0000
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