Kashmir is not integral part of India: Mirwaiz

25 Aug, 2006

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Chairman Mirwaiz Omer Farooq on Thursday said that Kashmir was disputed territory and not integral part of India.
Talking to a private TV channel, he said the statement of Indian leadership that Kashmir is integral part of India was not based on reality, adding: "Kashmir is disputed territory and under UN resolutions it was still pending for Kashmiris to decide their destiny."
He said it was very unfortunate that India was using delaying tactics in resolving core issue of Kashmir. Omer Farooq urged Indian leadership to show flexibility for the fruitful out come of peace process. "It would be difficult to reach any conclusion if India is reluctant not to show flexibility for resolution of Kashmir issue", he added.
By paying tribute to Pakistan, he said leadership of Pakistan showed enough flexibility regarding Kashmir issue, but India had not responded in the same gesture.
"Voice of Kashmiris cannot be suppressed by guns and troops", he added. The APHC chief said, at present, Indian troops are violating human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir by killing, kidnapping and taking into custody innocent people without any charges.
To a question, he said the APHC has very clear policy that freedom struggle will continue until the Kashmir issue was resolved in accordance with the aspiration of Kashmiri people. To another question, he said India has no choice but to continue peace process with Pakistan as dialogue was the only way to resolve issues.

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