Armed struggle ‘only option’ to resolve Kashmir dispute: Salahuddin

Srinagar, Oct 18: United Jihad Council (UJC) chairman and Hizb ul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin has said that armed struggle has become “inevitable” to resolve Kashmir dispute as per the aspirations of the people as New Delhi was “never interested” in its peaceful resolution.
Addressing a meeting in Pakistan-administered-Kashmir, Salahuddin said that by “crushing” the peaceful peoples struggle, India has given a message that there is no peaceful way to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
“Freedom struggle was peaceful till 1990 but history is witness that every effort was made to crush this struggle through the ise of force and practically a message was delivered that there is no peaceful way to resolve the Kashmir issue,” Salahuddin said, as per a statement issued by the outfit.
“In light of these facts, everyone in Kashmir, including young and old, men and women have no doubt that armed struggle is the only option to free the nation from the chains of slavery.”
“…Because of this”, he said, “hundreds of youth and intellectuals became a part of this movement”.
“Like Dr Manan Wani and Prof Muhammad Rafi Bhat, Maqbool Bhat, Ashfaq Majeed Wani, Ali Muhammad Dar, Masood Tantray and Shams-ul-Haq, a huge number of people became a part of this struggle and aided it not only with gun but also through pen. This movement now needs educated people more than ever as highly-educated people and those with intellect can foil the nefarious designs of India,” he said, as per the statement.
Salahuddin also appealed to the Government of Pakistan to intensify its diplomatic efforts in highlighting the Kashmir issue and the need for its resolution across the world.
He also rued the lack of action following the UN Human Rights Commission report which highlighted the rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir at the hands of Indian forces.
He paid tributes to all the militants killed since past week saying their sacrifices will bear fruit. “India has lost this war mentally. God willing, it will realize it in practical field too,” said Salahuddin.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)