[Imc-zimbabwe] {KAC-LIST} Inhuman Closure of main Highways Into Occupied Kashmir

[kacouncil at kashmiri.com]

INHUMANE CLOSURE OF MAIN HIGHWAYS INTO OCCUPIED KASHMIR
 
Washington, D.C. AUGUST 8, 2008. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center said that the immoral, unjust and inhumane closure of the main highways into occupied Kashmir, Pathankot-Jammu and Jammu-Srinagar, by the desperate and cowardly alien authorities is tantamount to crimes against humanity. These highways are the only land links from India to Kashmir.  They provide Kashmiri citizens with their basic necessities of life including food and drugs.  The forcible closure of these highways, by fanatics, and the Indian authorities’ complete and total disregard for the sanctity of Kashmiri life amounts to gross violations of human rights and must be condemned throughout the world.  

In response to this collective punishment on a civilian, non-combatant population Hurriyet Chairperson Syed Ali Geelani called for a complete strike which overwhelmingly went heeded.  To that, Dr. Fai stated ‘the complete strike by the people of Kashmir is in response to the call of Mr. Geelani to show their anguish against the blockade and is, yet again, another indisputable symbol of Kashmiri perseverance in the face of vicious injustice. Nothing can break the will of the Kashmiri people for their legitimate and undeniable right for self-determination.’ 

Moreover, Dr. Fai reiterated that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman, All Parties Hurriyet Conference has strongly demanded the establishment of alternative trade routes in order to prevent any further suffering to the already traumatized Kashmiri population.  Dr. Fai continued ‘We, at the Kashmiri American Council, endorse and fully support both Syed Ali Shah Geelani in his call for a peaceful strike in Kashmir and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s contention that alternative trade routes must be sought.’  Adding to that, Dr. Fai said ‘Kashmiri’s are committed to peacefully resolving their differences with India, irrespective of our ongoing disgust at Indian atrocities, in recognition that violence never serves, only scars.’

The blockade of the Kashmir valley has prevented the transportation of vital necessities of life.  This, Dr. Fai firmly declares ‘is nothing short of a modern-day siege of the Kashmir valley.  All Kashmiri citizens are being held hostage by fanatics and the real impotent, disfigured face of India is being broadcast throughout the world.’  Even more troubling, he added, ‘the life of the Kashmiri leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, Chairman, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front is in danger who has pledged to fast until the blockade ends.’  The Kashmiri American Council calls for the intervention of the Indian civil society in this regard.

The Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center is committed to finding a just and lasting peace to the disputed territory of Kashmir through tripartite peaceful negotiations between Governments of India and Pakistan and the legitimate leadership of the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.