Involve Kashmiris to resolve issue: Hurriyat (A)

KT NEWS SERVICE SRINAGAR July 18: Expressing his wish that the Kashmir issue should get resolved once for all, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (A), Mirwaiz Omar Farooq today said that unless the people of Kashmir were allowed to have their say in the resolution of Kashmir issue, the return of peace in the valley was impossible.

A spokesman of Hurriyat (A) said that Mirwaiz made this statement after laying the foundation stone of a Jamia Masjid (Mosque where Friday prayers are offered) at Bakora-Aalastang.

He said that Mirwaiz emphasised that Kashmiri land is everywhere witness to the sacrifices offered by the martyrs.

Mirwiaz said that Huriyat talked to Pakistan with regard to Kashmir issue and has been also in touch with New Delhi.

He further said that Hurriyat wants the resolution of 57-year-old Kashmir issue through dialogue and appreciated the efforts of India and Pakistan for resolving the issue.

Umar appealed the people to extend their support to Hurriyat for resolving the issue peacefully.

The Mirwaiz also appealed the people to shed their mutual prejudices, disputes related to schools of thought and disputes of secondary importance.

He said that unless muslims try to find the solutions of issues in view of Islamic teachings, they are unlikely to get success any field.

Stage set for Hurriyat(A)-KP meet KT NEWS SERVICE SRINAGAR, July 18: Stage is all set for the first ever meeting of migrant Kashmiri pandits and Hurriyat Conference (A) here tomorrow.

Around 100 pandit representatives are likely to participate in the meeting that will discuss the possible return of the migrant Kashmir pandits to the valley.

"We have had a good response from the Kashmiri pandit brethren when we met them in Jammu.

We met pandits across the board because we did not want to discriminate.

Our basic aim is to bridge the divide and clear the misgivings which have crept in for the last 15 years", said Syed Saleem Geelani, Hurriyat (A) pointman who held several rounds of talks with pandits in Jammu.

Geelani said that they want that the pandit brethren should return to Kashmir.

"This meeting is a first step to break the jinx.

We are not saying that they should come we want them to have a feel.

They should test the waters first and then decide.

We believe that Kashmiri pandits are part and parcel of this nation and they have a very crucial role to play", he said.

Nearly 2.5 lakh pandits have migrated to different parts of the country since March 1990.

According to the estimates, there are over 27,282 migrant families at Jammu besides 22,081 families putting up in 12 states of the country.

Of them around 19,338 live in Delhi alone.

Officials put the number of pandits living in Jammu at 55,103.

Around 9000 souls are currently putting up in Kashmir valley.

Of the total 9000 pandits living in Kashmir, around 2500 people are putting up in the twin districts of Anantnag and Pulwama in south Kashmir.

Some migrant Kashmiri pandits organizations have also desired to return to the valley.

And that is why they have had meeting with Hurriyat leaders in Jammu to discuss the modalities for the meeting.

"Geelani sahib came and met us.

He told us that Kashmiri muslims are awaiting the return of the pandits.

He desired to have a meeting with the leaders and we said ok.

We wanted to listen to them and also put across our point of view.

We want to come honorably and respectably", said Rattan Lal Bhan, president All India Kashmir Hindu Forum, which has membership of 4500.

Similarly, Prof Gopi Nath Muju, convener Kashmir Hindu Minorities Conference said that they feel that time is ripe for the Kashmir pandits to return but there are certain issues which they want to discuss with Kashmiri muslims.

"Hurriyat has felt that gun culture is not leading them anywhere.

They want now peace and we now fit in their scheme of things.

We want to return honorably to our homes and not to the camps.

We do not want isolation we want to live with our brethren", he said.

Even state government is encouraging the meeting between the Kashmir pandits and Hurriyat (A).

"It is a significant development.

The meting between Hurriyat and pandits will help in breaking the ice and ultimately lead to their return", said Hakeem Mohammed Yasin, minister of revenue, relief and rehabilitation.