Srinagar: Hurriyat leaders have asserted that India’s control over Jammu and Kashmir relies solely on military force, dismissing development projects as a facade to suppress the region’s call for independence.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the leaders, including Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi and Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sopori, criticized the security measures during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the region, describing them as oppressive. They argued that initiatives like rail lines and tunnels are designed to support military operations rather than benefit residents.

The leaders also condemned Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks in Jammu, stating they distort historical facts about the region. They reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir has never been a part of India and criticized Singh’s comments on Azad Jammu and Kashmir as threats to regional peace.

Furthermore, the Hurriyat leaders accused Indian authorities of spreading false narratives about the situation in the region, highlighting ongoing human rights abuses. They pointed out that defense projects in the area are a guise for maintaining control.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Kashmir’s independence, emphasizing that the people of Kashmir reject India’s occupation. Analysts in Srinagar noted that infrastructure projects are aimed at enhancing security, not development, and accused the government of pursuing Hindutva-driven policies to consolidate control.

These statements come amidst ongoing tensions and underscore the complex dynamics in the region, with the Hurriyat leadership vowing to continue their struggle for freedom.