In occupied Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has warned that the situation in Kashmir would not improve till Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road is opened, draconian laws are revoked and prisoners are released.
"I convey it to the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh that peace in the state will be a distant reality till meeting of our three demands. Our first demand is that all trade routes with AJK and Pakistan, including Muzaffarabad road, be immediately opened. It is right of the people of the state," Mirwaiz said at a gathering, KMS reported.
The second demand, he said, is demilitarisation and revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Disturbed Areas Act and other draconian laws. The third demand is release of all Kashmiris prisoners languishing in different jails, the Mirwaiz added.
He warned the New Delhi that if the demands were not fulfilled immediately, situation in Kashmir would further deteriorate and the administration would be responsible for that. The APHC Chairman said, "People have given their verdict that they won't tolerate oppression and injustice any more. Now it is time for the New Delhi to act."
He appealed to the people to follow the programmes of Coordination Committee, comprising pro-freedom groups, including APHC, traders, lawyers and others. "There is shortage of essential items, including baby milk, in the market. Instead of allowing people to march towards Muzaffarabad, the police and para-military personnel showered bullets on unarmed protestors," he said, adding, "Kashmiris cannot be cowed down by use of force.
Claiming that administration is resorting to double standards while dealing with protests in Kashmir and Jammu regions, Mirwaiz said, "Police and troops opened indiscriminate fire on unarmed protestors in Kashmir while in Jammu no action is being taken against the rioters, who are attacking and damaging Muslim properties".
Expressing his anger and resentment over the atrocities committed by police and paramilitary CRPF in past five days against the unarmed protesters, he said, "This barbaric approach of India will never suppress the morale of Kashmiris."
Meanwhile, the call of Coordination Committee to observe black out and beat the rooftops for one hour, as a mark of protest against recent killings and reign of terror unleashed against hapless Kashmiris, evoked massive response in the Srinagar city.