Mirwaiz for tripartite talks, Malik demands total independence

Srinagar, Aug 18 (UNI) Demanding total independence for Jammu and Kashmir, separatist leaders in the Kashmir valley today said their peaceful ''freedom struggle'' will continue till the goal is achieved.

Addressing a public meeting, first after two decades in the city, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq said marches to Pampore and United Nations Military Observers (UNMO) office, which remained peaceful despite the participation of lakhs of people, had made it clear to the world that the people of Kashmir are peace loving.

He said India should immediately announce holding of talks among India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir to resolve the issue peacefully.

The Mirwaiz said the peaceful struggle will continue till the Kashmir issue was resolved with the active participation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He demanded release of all Kashmiri detenues languishing in different jails in and outside the state.

The Mirwaiz demanded that all laws which have given unprecedented power to the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir should be scrapped.

The Hurriyat chairman strongly condemned the alleged economic blockade, attack on the Muslims and Kashmiris in Jammu.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have every right to do trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and other traditional routes with Pakistan and other South Asian countries.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik, stressing the need for unity among the separatist organisations, said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are for total independence.

Declaring it a people revolution, Mr Malik said the peaceful struggle would continue till the issue was resolved.

He said the people of the state will not allow anybody to weaken the struggle for which more than a lakh have sacrificed their lives.

Mr Malik said, ''We have every right to have trade through Jehlum valley road.'' He alleged that after the economic blockade and attack by the Hindu fundamentalists, the Muslims in Jammu are feeling insecure.

The Hurriyat and other separatist leaders present at the meeting pledged that they will work for unity and will not allow anyone to weaken it.

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