‘Politics on the name of Kashmir won’t be allowed anymore,’ says Dy Mayor

SRINAGAR — Deputy Mayor Srinagar Sheikh Mohammad Imran on Tuesday said that politics on the name of Kashmiris will not be allowed anymore as people are being exploited for vested interests since decades.

Imran said that Kashmiri youth are losing their lives and dozens are getting injured on a daily basis. “We have lost almost 252 youth this year which is an alarming figure,” he said.

“I am convinced by views of Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who said few months ago that ‘there is need for re-strategy among Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) programs,’ but things remain unchanged,” he added.

He said that few years back, Zakir Musa was criticized and was declared as Indian agent and now same people had given strike call over his killing.

Imran said that although there might have been confusions but those things could have been avoided as there is no clear roadmap to resolve Kashmir dispute.

“Mainstream parties also played negative propaganda to gain vote bank,” he said, adding that when Kashmir was burning, our leaders were dancing in Jammu and Srinagar over election victory.

He said that by getting 2-3% vote share, criminals are getting power and deserving candidates are being left out. “There is a need to bring new strategy in Hurriyat programs and work for resolving the Kashmir dispute,” he said.

“We are losing our youth which are key assets of our society. Around 252 killings have been witnessed in Kashmir so far which is an alarming figure. Those who are feeding themselves with ‘golden spoons’ should understand the consequences of deceiving people,” Imran said.

He said, “In Palestine, Pakistan, Hamas and Azad Kashmir, elections are held and people participate in the elections but here we are doing the opposite. We need honest politicians who will work for the people and also represent aspirations of the people.”

“Those candidates would represent both the aspirations of Kashmiri people and at local level, they will solve the local issues,” Imran said, adding that time has come where youth have to play their role.

He appealed India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leadership to initiate fresh dialogue as people of Kashmir valley are continuously suffering.

“Some people sitting in London and USA are running Kashmir movement on social media platforms. Our youth should awake now as they are falling prey to these people,” he said.

“Government of India should look on the ground as Kashmiri people are alienated. As there has been tough approach towards Kashmir and that needs should be tackled,” Imran said.

Imran said that in the holy month of Ramadhan, there should have been ceasefire between India and Pakistan, but no one is caring about the future of youth in Kashmir.

“I appeal people that there is need for peaceful struggle and which is the only way to forward,” he said, adding that youth should come forward and discuss fresh strategy.