Srinagar: Leaders from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, including Khawaja Firdous, Syed Bashir Andrabi, and Muhammad Shafi Lone, have criticized the forthcoming assembly elections in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, labeling them as a military maneuver rather than a legitimate electoral process. They argue that these elections compromise the disputed nature of the region and mislead the international community regarding the true state of affairs.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the leaders, in a joint statement, expressed that the Kashmiri populace will dismiss these elections, continuing their longstanding rejection of such processes which they believe do not represent a true exercise of their right to self-determination. They highlighted that the elections, conducted amidst the presence of a large number of Indian troops, lack any form of credibility.
The statement further detailed that the Kashmiris are laying down their lives in pursuit of their inherent right to self-determination and vowed to persist in their struggle until they fulfill the objectives of those who have martyred in the cause. The leaders called upon the United Nations and international human rights bodies to exert pressure on India to release all detained Kashmiri prisoners, including political leaders, activists, and young people.
Additionally, Abdul Samad Inqilabi, another leader from the Conference, appealed to the United Nations to intervene and address the Kashmir issue in accordance with its existing resolutions. He emphasized that a sustainable peace and development in South Asia hinge on the resolution of the Kashmir conflict. Inqilabi also accused the Modi government of infringing international laws by attempting to alter the demographic setup of the region, which he claimed directly contravenes UN resolutions, urging the UN to take immediate action against India’s unlawful activities.
Source: Kashmir Media Service