Srinagar, June 27: Hurriyat Conference today urged President A P J Abdul Kalam, who is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, to reduce the strength of armed forces in the state in order to lessen the "miseries of the people" and end alleged human rights violations. "President Kalam yesterday said he wanted to see smiles on the faces of children of Jammu and Kashmir. We also want the same thing but it is possible only if the human rights violations and atrocities on the people of the state are stopped," senior Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told a congregation at Jamia Masjid here.

Mirwaiz urged Kalam to reduce the strength of armed forces in the state.


He said that Hurriyat decided not to give a strike call coinciding with Kalam's visit as "we want him to feel the pain and know the sentiments of the people.”

Mirwaiz said that the need of the hour was to start a dialogue that could lead a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. "We will respond positively to any such move initiated by Government of India provided it is in accordance to the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state," he added.
On the latest peace initiatives between India and Pakistan, Mirwaiz said that Hurriyat welcomed the thaw in the relations and supported all steps aimed at reducing tensions between the neighbours.

Bureau Report