Mirwaiz for demiliterisation to solve J&K issue

'A phase-wise solution of Kashmir is in the offing. It would begin with demilitarisation', says Mirwaiz, reports Rashid Ahmed.

Mirwaiz Ummer Farooq, chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference, reached Srinagar to a thunderous welcome by his supporters on Thursday.

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He was brought in a large caravan of vehicles from airport to Rajouri Kadal in old Srinagar, where he addressed a large public gathering.

Mirwaiz, along with two other senior leaders Professor Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone, was on 10 days visit of Pakistan, where he met Pakistani leaders including President General Musharaf as a part of his "efforts to find a negotiable and amicable solution to the issue of Kashmir".

This move however was opposed by hard-line separatist political and militant groups. They had called a general shutdown in the valley on January 17, a day before he left for Pakistan.

While Professor Gani has stayed back in Pakistan, Bilal Gani Lone was accompanying him when he reached Srinagar.

The Hurriyat supporters on Thursday put up a brave show. Chanting pro Pakistan and pro freedom slogans, the oft-repeated slogan chanting the air was "Kashmir ka faisla kaun karega, Mirwaiz karega, Mirwaiz karega (Kashmir's future would be decided by the Mirwaiz only)".

A large number of Hurriyat supporters had been drawn from Handwara and Kupwara, the strong-hold of Lone brothers-Bilal and Sajjad Gani.

"A phase-wise solution of Kashmir is in the offing. It would begin with demilitarisation", Mirwaiz told his supporters at Rajouri Kadal. He said that the next three months would be very crucial with regard to the resolution of Kashmir issue.

Mirwaiz said that his faction of the Hurriyat and Pakistani government were jointly trying to work out the Kashmir solution. "I, during my Pakistan visit, have asked militant leaders to extend their help to the process, and I hope that they would also come forward with their help. Our movement is operating on three fronts-political, diplomatic and militancy, now the time has come for joint efforts to resolve the issue", he said.

Mirwaiz said that Pakistan has brought considerable flexibility in its stand on Kashmir. "It is now turn of India to come up with flexibility", he said.

"Prime Minister had promised zero-tolerance with regard to human rights violations. But it has little impact on ground. Killing of innocent people in fake encounters continues with impunity", he alleged.

Mirwaiz's address evoked tumultuous applause and slogan shouting from the audience.