SRINAGAR: Calling for an end to human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, peace and human rights activists besides people from different walks of life on Sunday urged the Centre to resolve the Kashmir issue in the larger interests of the people of South Asia. Most of the speakers rejected self-rule and autonomy as the viable solution.

At a day-long seminar organised by the Kashmir Bar Association here, a host of speakers from Srinagar and Delhi, expressed concern over the daily grind of violence which claimed innocent lives, said that a consensus was necessary for an amicable settlement. Making a strong case for granting right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir, prominent human rights activist Gautam Navlakha rejected the proposals of "self-rule" and "internal autonomy" floating from different quarters as a substitute to self-determination.

"The confidence building measures taken by India and Pakistan in the last three years have improved the relationship between the two countries for sure but given nothing to Kashmiris," he said.

Stating that there was no let-up in the incidents of human rights abuses in Kashmir, he said: "More than five lakh troopers are present in Kashmir."

Peace activist Radha Kumar acknowledged the anger of various Kashmiri separatist speakers saying: "I share your pain and feel the pain behind this anger. But I am a great believer in peace and I am sure the next time I come here there will be less anger."

Firebrand separatist leader and chairman of hard-line faction of the Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, reiterated his amalgam's stance on the implementation of the United Nations resolutions to solve the Kashmir issue. "Unless India accepts Kashmir as a dispute all so-called peace talks and dialogues are going to be exercises in futility."

Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Chief Shabir Ahmad Shah wanted the Government to take all communities along to pursue the cause together. "Our case is very strong and we should take people of all regions along with us."

Making a passionate appeal to the separatist leaders to get united to pursue the cause with one voice, noted pediatrician Altaf Hussain said: "If you [separatists] do not get united at this juncture I feel sorry to say that history will throw you to dustbins."

A teacher at the Law Department of the University of Kashmir, Sheikh Showkat Hussain, said: "Right to self-determination is an inalienable right of people and this can't be denied."

Dukhtaran-e-millat chief Asiya Andrabi said: "It is an Islamic movement and does not draw inspiration from secularism. Kashmir dispute is an off-shoot of partition." She said that all records of human rights violations had been broken in Kashmir.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail