Srinagar, Jan 21: Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Muhammad Yasin Malik, on Tuesday asked India and Pakistan to make the dialogue process between them Kashmir-centric saying the unresolved dispute was taking a heavy toll on the people of the state. “Kashmiris have been offering unflinching sacrifices for the ongoing movement for freedom. India and Pakistan must focus on resolution of Kashmir dispute and resolve secondary issues like trade and commerce later,” Malik said addressing a massive rally at Gaw Kadal here to commemorate 24th anniversary of the massacre. At least 51 people were killed on January 21, 1990 when paramilitary CRPF fired upon a procession which was peacefully marching towards the historic Lal Chowk to protest wanton arrests and molestation of some women by troopers at Chota Bazar locality of Old City. Amid pro-freedom slogans, Malik led the rally from party headquarters and marched towards the massacre spot at Gaw Kadal. “On this day when we are paying tributes to our martyrs, I want to tell leadership of India and Pakistan that Kashmir is not a border dispute between them. Ironically, in our case trade and commerce are superseding the human sufferings and tragedies of Kashmiris,” he said. Elaborating, he said, “Kashmir has become highly militarized zone with presence of over 10 lakh Indian forces.” “Ninety five percent of Kashmiris are suffering with depression due to the unresolved dispute. Ironically, India and Pakistan have been only talking about trade and neglecting Kashmir, the prime party and sufferers of the dispute,” he said. He maintained that Kashmiris won’t accept any solution from India and Pakistan through Radio and TV. “Hostilities between India and Pakistan won’t end, neither peace can be restored in south Asia until Kashmir is resolved. It is high time for both the countries to make the dialogue process between them Kashmir centric and resolve the dispute according aspirations of Kashmiris,” he said. Malik exuded hope that after the troopers of United States leave Afghanistan later this year, Kashmiris would be back on international radar. Paying rich tributes to martyrs of Gaw Kadal, Malik said,” the first massacre was executed to quell the quest for freedom of Kashmiris.” “The Kashmiris who were labeled as ‘cowards and lazy’, took over the mantle to achieve freedom by taking to streets in 1990. New Delhi was shell-shocked by peaceful revolution in Kashmir. The then Home Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed appointed Jagmohan as Governor to quell this movement. Cold-blooded killing of 51 unarmed peaceful protestors by CRPF at Gaw Kadal was aimed to suppress Kashmiris,” he said He said after Gaw Kadal, a series of massacres were executed at many places in Kashmir including Zakura, Handwara, Sopore and Bijbehara. “In every locality and village in Kashmir innocent youth, intellectuals, religious scholars and academicians have been killed. Despite all these killings and oppressive measures, people of Jammu and Kashmir have continued their revolution and march towards freedom,” he said. “Kashmiris have been suffering humiliation and atrocities by troopers. It is humiliating for Kashmiris when troopers from Indian states ask for their identity cards. It is the land of Kashmiris who have over 5,000 years old civilization. It is the inalienable right of Kashmiris to live with dignity and honour,” he said The JKLF Chairman said the uprising in 2008 in Kashmir against transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board had started a discourse for resolution of Kashmir. “72 people were killed by forces during peaceful protests on streets in Kashmir. The peaceful revolution started a debate in White House, Britain and even in New Delhi to resolve the dispute according to aspirations of Kashmiris. Ironically, during the same year people participated in elections for roads, water and power creating confusion among the international community,” he said. He said taking cue from peaceful revolution in Kashmir, mass uprisings took place in various countries including Egypt, Nepal and Tunisia. “We have to infuse discipline in our movement. Youth have the responsibility to spearhead the ongoing movement nourished with the sacred blood of our martyrs. Let us resolve on this day that we will carry on the movement till it reaches its logical conclusion,” Malik said as people reciprocated with pro- freedom slogans. Malik came down heavily on mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir accusing them of being responsible for plight of Kashmiris. “From Farooq Abdullah to Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and Omar Abdullah to Mehbooba Mufti, mainstream leaders have been instrumental in giving unbridled power to Indian forces in Kashmir to harass, arrest and kill Kashmiris,” he said. “In Assembly, National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party and Congress pursue New Delhi’s agenda to empower armed forces and suppress Kashmiris. Some of these parties call for Autonomy, some for Self Rule and some even have been assigned the job of chanting Azadi slogans in Assembly to befool people. But Kashmiris are mature enough now and know wicked politics of these mainstream leaders,” he said. “These parties have been approaching Kashmiris with promise of roads, power and employment to get votes. By this means, they want to dilute the ongoing movement for freedom. We should remain cautions of cheap tactics of mainstream parties,” Malik added. Malik was flanked Chairperson Association of Disappeared Persons, Parveena Ahangar and senior party leaders including Bashir Ahmed Bhat, Sheikh Abdul Rashid and Showkat Ahmed Bakshi.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 02:35:50 +0000
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