We want peaceful solution, but India's not sincere: Geelani

Srinagar, July 19 (UNI) Chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani said today the seperatist leadership and people of Jammu and Kashmir are in favour of a peaceful and democratic resolution to the Kashmir issue.

However, he alleged that India was not sincere in efforts to resolve the issue peacefully once and for all.

Speaking at a protest rally organised at Bandipora, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, where a number of houses were damaged allegedly by the security forces, Mr Geelani said we are in favour of a peaceful and democratic solution to the issue which has already claimed more than one lakh lives.

He said the peace process with Pakistan by India was to mislead the world community.

The rigid attitude of India was the main hurdle in making any headway on Kashmir, he said and added that the recent Mumbai blasts was being used by India to disturb the present freedom struggle in Kashmir.

Mr Geelani expressed concern over the alleged increase in the Human Rights violations by the security forces.

He said about 500 people were rendered homeless at Bandipora as their houses were damaged after a fake encounter by security forces recently.

Mr Geelani appealed to world organisations to intervene and prevail upon the Indian govenment to stop the human rights violations.

UNI BAS MIR BST1848