LoC killings: Mirwaiz appeals to India, Pakistan to resolve lingering Kashmir dispute

Srinagar: Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday asked India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue to put an end to bloodshed at the border and the Line of Control (LoC).
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid, Mirwaiz expressed grave concern and distress at the bloodshed taking place on the LoC.
He said each day civilians including children on both sides of LoC are getting killed and becoming the target of the unresolved Kashmir conflict, which is very sad and painful.
“Soldiers also become cannon fodder of this hate as a consequence of the lingering Kashmir dispute. These soldiers on either side belong to the poor segment of society and join forces to make a living and support their poor families and their killing is equally sad,” he said.
“It is strange that both sides boast of killing soldiers of the other side and swear that deaths will be avenged leading to more killings and destruction, including those of civilians.”
“This senselessness and bloodshed is given the name of nationalism and defence of national honour,” he said.
Mirwaiz appealed to both the countries to stop these “senseless killings”. He said that the only beneficiaries of this death and destruction are those who provide the arms and ammunition for this mayhem.
Mirwaiz also appealed to the Pandit community to return to their roots on the 29th anniversary of their migration from Kashmir.
“People of Kashmir will welcome them with warmth and open arms,” he said.
Mirwaiz said their migration is a human issue and it makes all Kashmiris sad that they are away from their motherland and yearn to come back.
“Kashmiri Pandits are a part of our joint ethos and culture and our common past and will always remain so. Kashmir belongs to them as much as it does to Muslims and we want to share our future together,” he said.
Mirwaiz said “our demand for the right of self- determination is for each inhabitant of J&K and they have an equal right to have their say in its future dispensation.”