Withdraw troops from Kashmir for peace, Mirwaiz to India

Srinagar, Feb 5 (UNI) Demanding withdrawal of troops in a phased manner from Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat Conference (Omar) chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq today said Human Rights (HR) violations would continue till more than 7 lakh security personnel were present in the state.

Addressing a seminar organised on the solidarity day with Pakistan at Hurriyat headquarters here Mirwaiz condemned the killing of innocent persons in fake encounter by the security forces.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has suggested four- point formula to resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully, he said adding one of the points was demilitarisation on both sides of the border.

He demanded withdrawal of security forces from the state in a phased manner to built an atmosphere of trust.

However, he expressed concern that troops were going to acquire about 80,000 more kanals of land in the valley to strengthen its occupation.

Mirwaiz said 7 lakh strong Indian security personnel could not leave Jammu and Kashmir with any military action. ''We have to adopt a strategy to see the forces are out from the state,'' he said.

Without naming anyone, the Hurriyat chairman said those opposing the India-Pakistan dialogue process were infact strengthening the Indian hands.

Praising Gen Musharraf and other leaders for their support to the Kashmir cause, Mirwaiz said ''Pakistan suffered since 1947 because of Kashmir.'' He said the ''flexibility shown by Pakistan on Kashmir issue was welcomed by one and all across the globe. India too will be forced to change its stand,'' he said.

Mirwaiz said there was no possibility of another war between India and Pakistan as both were nuclear weapon countries. Therefore, he said, the Kashmir issue had to be resolved through peaceful means.

UNI