Srinagar, Aug 05: On the completion of two years of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A of India’s own constitution and break up of J&K into two union territories, in an attempt to erase its status as a disputed territory, All Parties’ Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has reiterated its strong resentment and opposition to these unilateral and arbitrary actions.

APHC, in statement said that it would also like to draw attention of the citizens of India and the world at large, that the present Indian Government’s actions of August 5, 2019 has only complicated the dispute further over the state of J&K.

“This is illustrated by the fact that it ignited the flames along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) even as some measure of calm has been introduced along the Line of Control. It is worth pointing out that whereas before August 2019 New Delhi would argue that Kashmir was the main trouble spot in the state, today it is faced with four trouble spots of Leh, Kargil and Jammu as there is disaffection in these regions too.”

It said that meanwhile, the government continues to assault the people of the state by continuing to incarcerate political prisoners and youth, intimidate people by arrests and bringing in arbitrary and anti-people laws, media gags, arbitrary dismissal of locals from government services, gagging all voices of dissent and continued misrepresentation of the actual conditions in the (former) state.

It said that APHC has had a long-standing policy of engagement in meaningful dialogue among all the stakeholders, that sees the situation on the ground for what it is and encourages dialogue rather than armed confrontation.

“The latter benefits no one and harms everyone. Nor is intransigence and denial a helpful stance. All political prisoners, including APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, hundreds of youths and all others arrested arbitrarily or under draconian laws should be released by the government.”

The statement reads that the APHC is cognizant that although they cannot match the muscle of status quo powers, the political education in the last thirty years has been significant and they appreciate all platforms that give them a voice. These platforms must be created and we should be allowed to participate in them – not only to allow our voice as peoples representatives be heard, but because it is just . It is time that the conflict over the state of J&K is resolved so that not just Kashmir, but all of South Asia can look forward to living up to its collective potential. kns