By NAK
Srinagar: Demanding release of the pro-freedom leaders, senior All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders Zafar Akbar Bhat, Javid Ahmad Mir and advocate Shahid-ul-Islam have warned that if the government of India and its regime here continued with its autocratic polices ‘the next generation of Kashmir would be forced to pick guns again.
In a statement issued here today Bhat, Mir and Shahid were among the first youth in Kashmir who picked up guns in late 80’s for the grant of right to self-determination to Kashmiris.
They said the situation was similar to early 80’s. “The black history has been repeated. People are not even allowed to register their protest peacefully and they are treated like criminals. If the government of India continues with its autocratic policies, the next generation of Kashmir will be forced to pick up guns again,” they said.
The present authority after assuming power has put senior pro-freedom leadership including ailing Syed Ali Geelani, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Masarat Alam Bhat, Aasiya Andrabi, Muhammad Salim Nanaji and others behind bars. They had only raised their voice against the rape and murder of Aasiya and Neelofar, and it is no crime. If it is a crime, then the authority should arrest all the people who took to the streets in lakhs to protest against the heinous crime,” they said.
They said hundreds of youth, including teenagers who were arrested during the Amarnath land row last year and Shopian incident were languishing in various jails of Jammu. They said an activist of Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Fahmeeda Sofi, a PUC student, has been kept with criminals in Amphala sub-jail in Jammu. “She is treated like a criminal. This is sheer political vengeance,” they added.
They strongly condemned the recent statement of a senior police officer that no pro-freedom leaders would be released. “The officer has extended his brief. It seems he is hell bent upon to impose martial law in Kashmir whereas this is already a police state.”
Urging India to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris, they reminded its leadership of the promise of plebiscite made by first Indian prime minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. “The Indian leadership should understand that despite using cheap tactics to suppress the sentiments of Kashmiris’ by killing and harassing them since 1947, they have failed to deter their resolve to achieve freedom,” they added.
They said for earlier resolution of Kashmir, we had launched a peaceful political struggle in late ‘90’s. “But we were harassed and put behind bars several times. New Delhi cannot hamper the movement by pressurizing the leadership.” they said adding, “The countless graveyards across the Valley stand testimony to the objective of Kashmiris,” they added.