Srinagar: Chairman of moderate faction of
Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Friday pressed for
"sincere efforts" in finding a permanent solution to the
Kashmir issue and assured full support of his amalgam to such
an exercise.
"We have not seen a single solid step on the part of
Government of India to address the Kashmir issue... Hurriyat
is ready to welcome any positive and political engagement
aimed at finding an everlasting solution to the long standing
problem," Mirwaiz told reporters after meeting British High
Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg at his residence here.
The British High Commissioner along with two aides -
First Secretary Alex Bamford and political adviser Sushil
Aaron - called on Mirwaiz at his Nigeen residence where he has
been placed under house arrest since morning.
"I briefed the envoys about the prevailing political
and human rights situation in the Valley and sought an
effective role of the British government in resolving Kashmir.
"Kashmir is basically a problem created by the British
and is lingering on for the last 63 years," Mirwaiz said,
adding, "It is the political and moral responsibility of the
British government to play its effective role in seeking a
peaceful and negotiable settlement of this grave issue."
Dismissing the appointment of Centre`s interlocutors as
"time consuming exercise", Mirwaiz said "India is fully aware
about the political aspirations of the people of Jammu and
Kashmir. The time demands concrete and sincere measures to
address the Kashmir issue."
Pressing for his four-point demands including
revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Public
Safety Act, withdrawal of troops, free cross-border movement
and release of political prisoners, Mirwaiz said implementing
these measures would help in building an atmosphere conducive
for political engagement.
Mirwaiz said the British High commissioner told him
that his country is watching the situation in Kashmir very
closely and is desirous of a solution that is acceptable to
all the concerned parties.
Referring to the frequent curbs on the movement of
separatists especially on Fridays, Mirwaiz said, "such steps
are clear violation of democratic and religious rights."
PTI
