SRINAGAR, Aug 17: Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the Supreme Court should reconsider its order to Jammu and Kashmir government for construction of a macadamised road to Hindus’ Amarnath cave shrine claiming that it would be an “environmental disaster”.
“The government of India is pushing through the Supreme Court to come up with a permanent road at the cost of hundreds of trees and threat to fragile atmosphere. The SC should take into consideration the environmental hazard of such moves,” Mirwaiz said in his Friday Sermon at Jamia Masjid.
But the separatist leader was quick to add, “Our struggle is not based on any religion or community but the right of self determination for all.”
A division bench of the Supreme Court, taking suo moto cognizance of high number of deaths among the Amarnath pilgrims, on Monday directed the state government to construct a road to the Amarnath cave shrine, 3880m high in the Himalayas, before snowfall this year.
Mirwaiz also expressed concern over the delay in the resolution of the Kashmir problem in his sermon and passed a five-point resolution before the devotees.
“We appeal to the international community to play its role in bringing an end to occupation of Palestine and Masjid Aqsa and help resolve Kashmir problem,” said the Mirwaiz in his resolution.
The resolution said the international community has realized that Indio-Pak relations cannot improve till Kashmir is resolved.
“This massive gathering impress upon India and Pakistan to show seriousness to resolve the problem through a dialogue process, which should include people of Kashmir,” said the Mirwaiz, who is also the head priest.
The resolution appealed to New Delhi to put an end to suppressive measures in Kashmir and create conducive atmosphere by fulfilling the demands of the Hurriyat like revocation of laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act, release of detainees, demilitarisation and space to hold peaceful rallies.
“The government of India should also come up with facts about missing persons and unidentified graves dotted across the state,” said the Mirwaiz, who also expressed solidarity with the Muslim victims of Burma and Assam violence.
