India has to resolve Kashmir issue for bigger role in world: Omar

Srinagar, Feb 2 (UNI) Chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq today said India has to resolve the Kashmir issue for a bigger role in the world politics.

Referring to statements made by other separatist leaders that India was not ready to resolve the issue, the Mirwaiz said India cannot play any role in the world politics without addressing the 57-year-old issue as per the wishes of the people of the Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Masjid in the down town this afternoon, he said, ''The people of the valley have to initiate every move to resolve the issue.'' He said not a single soldier of India and Pakistan has been killed since the ceasefire on the borders. However, killing of Kashmiris was still on, he said.

Mirwaiz Omar said some people with vested interests are against the peaceful resolution to the issue.

''There is a Mafia of security forces, police, politicians and others who do not want to see peace in the vally as their shops will get closed once the issue is resolved,'' he said adding. ''They are the people who are doing business on Kashmiri blood. All these shops have to be closed down now.'' Without naming anyone he said some people are calling themselves the sympathisers of martyrs. ''My father and uncle were martyred while those criticising us are enjoying in foreign countries,'' he said.

About the recent visit to Pakistan by three-member Hurriyat delegation, he said it has generated a ray of hope to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue.

We find a positive change in Pakistan's attitude on Kashmir which definitely will help to move forward and bring peace in the entire region, Mirwaiz Omar told the congregation.

However, he said, India too have to come forward so that the issue, which has claimed lakhs of lives so far, could be resolved without any more delay.

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