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| Shabir Shah 'wants'obama facilitate Indo-Pak talks on Kashmir | | | KUNAL SHRIVATSA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Nov 4: With US President Barack Obama's four day official visit to India is commencing from tomorrow, the Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah today appealed the former to facilitate India-Pakistan talks in order to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue.
Shah, Chairman of the Democratic Freedom Party and a member of the Executive Council of All Party Hurriyat Conference was addressing reporters here today after his release from jail, where he was under detention under Public Safety Act (PSA).
The separatist leader was released yesterday reportedly on the recommendation of the interlocutors appointed by the centre.
"If Obama cannot mediate, he should at least facilitate Indo-Pak talks for the welfare of the people and to find a solution to Kashmir dispute as he is in good terms with both India and Pakistan," said Shah
"We are not against dialogue …. We welcome meaningful talks between the two countries. We never said no to dialogue as there is no other way out to solve the Kashmir imbroglio,'' he said.
He said it was not only a matter of Kashmir as Jammu and Ladakh regions are equally significant and cannot be ignored.
"Jammu and Ladakh are equally important as is Kashmir but regional wedge is a brain child of vested interests," he said.
"The politicians in J&K had always adopted divide and rule policy to create wedge between the three regions… I am against any type of division of the state… It should remain united," Shah added.
Shabir Shah said that a referendum should be held in J&K to decide the state's future.
"Both India and Pakistan should approach the United Nations for holding a referendum." said Shah,
Shah also sought demilitarization of Gilgit and Baltistan- areas falling in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
He said, "There is a need to demilitarize Jammu and Kashmir, same way military should also be withdrawn from areas under the control of Pakistan, including Gilgit."
Earlier, Shabir Shah was hackled by activists of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of BJP, during the press briefing held at Premier Hotel in Residency Road area here today.
A group of 10-15 BJYM members barged into the conference hall of the hotel where Shabir Shah was addressing media persons.
In the melee, which continued for almost five minutes, the BJYM activists tried to push the separatist leader but with the intervention of his supporters, he was rescued from the clutches of protesters.
They ransacked the furniture and microphones and manhandled Shah after gate crashing the venue, police sources said.
A police party led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) S S Sambyal entered the hall and whisked away the BJYM activists, police said, adding at least five of the protesters were arrested.
Shah, who termed the incident as unfortunate, however, continued with the press briefing. Shabir Shah said "I am not perturbed with such incidents. This type of hooliganism doesn't scare me."
"I don't take this attack seriously. This was the handiwork of those who do not want a permanent solution to the Kashmir problem." he added. |
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