IOK issue not a border dispute with India: Geelani

04 Jul, 2004

Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani has said that Indian occupied Kashmir issue was not a border dispute between India and Pakistan, but it is an issue which is linked with the future of 13 million Kashmiris.
According to a spokesman of conglomerate, Geelani was addressing people at Sirigufwara in Anantnag district. "The governments of India and Pakistan cannot decide about the destiny of the Kashmiris. Over the years Kashmiris have been offering sacrifices for the purpose that the freedom movement is taken to its logical conclusion," Geelani said, according to a Kashmir Times report.
He added that the Indian occupied Kashmir issue is related with the wishes as well as aspirations of the people. Geelani said the solution of the Indian occupied Kashmir issue has become imperative since people have been subjected to different kinds of atrocities over the years.
He added that no change is visible on ground in the Indian occupied Kashmir valley even if talks have taken place between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan.
The chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) expressed concern that the people are being arrested, women are being dishonoured and custodial killings are also rampant.
He added that the people of the state are being deprived of their rights since the last 54 years.
Geelani expressed concern over the arrest of Majid Qadri, a Kashmir University student and asked the international human rights organisations to ensure the release of the detained student.

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