Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 12: Chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, today said that they had hoped that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would resume talks with Pakistan and separatists during his visit to Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here, Mirwaiz said that Kashmir issue is not an economic problem and described the economic package as political bribe. “Economic packages are deception and political bribe. The aim of announcing these economic packages is to silence people, which is impossible. Kashmiri people want to make it clear that the ongoing happenings in the region are not law and order problems. Kashmir problem is not the problem of good governance and bad governance; it is not an economic problem… it is political problem,” he asserted.
Expressing disappointment over the fact that PM maintained hardline stance with regards to Kashmir during his recent Valley visit, Mirwaiz said: “Modi said on the face off all that ‘we don’t need suggestion of anyone over Kashmir and we know what we have to do’. He has ignored the wishes and aspirations of the people.”
The moderate separatist leader said the Hurriyat is not against dialogue. “In principle, we believe dialogue is an important intuition which could be utilized to address the issues. But, the Government of India is coming down heavily with its aggressive approach and aggressive policies. There is no realization of the political problem on the ground and there is no realization of the fact that there is pain, suffering, agony…,” he said.
Mirwaiz said in the present situation there can be no way forward with regards to dialogue. “… Until and unless, it (Government of India) recognizes the fact that Kashmir is not an economic problem and we have been saying this from the long time,” he said.
The senior separatist leader said even former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee acknowledged that Kashmir is a political problem and that is why he started the dialogue process with Pakistan and separatists despite granting financial packages.
The separatist leader demanded repealing of AFSPA and other “black laws” and removal of Army, paramilitary camps and bunkers from the civilian areas.
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