No Ramzan ceasefire from militants: Salahuddin
The security forces might have offered Ramzan special to people of Srinagar by removing barricades from roadsides, the United jihad council, a conglomerate of 13 militant outfits, however, has ruled out stopping militant activities during the month of fasting, which starts tomorrow. HT reports
The security forces might have offered Ramzan special to people of Srinagar by removing barricades from roadsides, the United jihad council, a conglomerate of 13 militant outfits, however, has ruled out stopping militant activities during the month of fasting, which starts on Tuesday.
"Ramazan is the month of jihad and there is no question of ceasefire in this month. In the past we had announced unilateral ceasefire (August 2000). But the experiment failed as it only benefited India and harmed our cause," Pakistan-occupied based UJC chairman Syed Salahuddin was quoted by Srinagar daily Greater Kashmir on Monday.
Expressing readiness to enter into a dialogue with New Delhi if it declares Kashmir a dispute, Salahhudin was quited saying "they (militants) have never opposed the dialogue process. But it (dialogue) should be meaningful, Kashmir centric and tripartite."
Salahuddin, who heads Kashmir’s largest indigenous militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, demanded revocation of laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Public Safety Act, release of all political prisoners, withdrawal of forces from villages and towns before entering into a dialogue. "Our leadership will be ready to talk if these conditions are fulfilled," said Salahuddin.
On Pakistan's fresh approach towards the Kashmir problem, Salahuddin was quoted as saying that "despite their (Pakistan's) own problems, it cannot make any compromise on Kashmir."
"It is question of Pakistan's own defense. There might be some changes in Pakistan's diplomatic, political and morale support to Kashmir cause, but the Pakistan army can’t make a compromise," said Salahuddin.
The UJC head described the arrest of Kashmir American Council head Ghulam Nabi Fai's arrest in the US as "double standards of the US towards Kashmir". "The US sympathies are more with India on Kashmir," said Salahuddin.
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