SRINAGAR (IHK): In occupied Kashmir, APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Senior Kashmiri Hurriyet leader Syed Ali Gilani have emphasised that total demilitarisation of Kashmir is imperative for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, reports KMS.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Gilani described India’s announcement of the withdrawal of thirty thousand troops from the occupied territory as an eyewash. The leaders also demanded an international probe into Shopian rape and murder case.

The APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq terming withdrawal of the troops as a step on paper said; Troop reduction has just happened on paper.

Had it been a reality people would have felt the difference on the ground. We want to ask the Indian Defence Minister where and when did it happen?

The Mirwaiz said, if India is sincere it should openly withdraw its troops from Kashmir and dismantle all barricades and bunkers.

There is no justification for the presence of eight lakh troops in Kashmir as New Delhi itself claims that situation has improved to a great extent, he added.

Syed Ali Gilani, while reacting to the statement said; We can not say if it has happened or not. Even if it has happened it is insignificant. Cutting a few thousand troops from the existing eight lakh, is very insignificant. Our demand is total demilitarisation.

The forum, patronised by senior Kashmiri Hurriyet leader Syed Ali Gilani has said the mass awareness campaign regarding the withdrawal of Indian troops from occupied Kashmir has frustrated the occupation authorities.

The spokesman of the forum in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the authorities had started the arrest of Hurriyet leaders and activists and the Indian troops and police personnel were harassing the innocent people of the occupied territory.

He said that the people of occupied Kashmir, despite hurdles, would continue the struggle for securing right to self-determination and would not take rest till the complete success of liberation movement.

The spokesman strongly condemned the illegal detention of Secretary General of the forum, Muhammad Yousuf Nadeem. He said that the Kashmiris were determined to continue their just struggle till its logical end and were ready for rendering all kind of sacrifices for the Kashmir cause.