SANA

SRINAGAR, Nov 21 (SANA): Kashmiri political prisoners captive in and outside Kashmir jails have termed the decision of holding elections in the State as “Indian arrogance” and said elections are no solution to Kashmir dispute.
Senior Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmed Shah said if pro-India politicians including National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycott elections, New Delhi would be exposed.

“Now it is a do or die situation for suppressed Kashmiris. By enacting this fraud, India is trying to mislead the world. It wants to show that it has a democratic system which can accommodate all the dissenting voices,” he said.

“Participating in elections is desecration of voices of millions of people that demonstrated for freedom over the past couple of months. This is the final opportunity for collaborators like Abdullahs and Muftis. If they keep away from this drama and respect the peoples sentiments all their past betrayals can perhaps be forgiven,” said Shah who has spent most years of his life in detention.

Sheikh Feroz Ahmed alias Musaib, 27, an Information Technology expert facing 10 year imprisonment said elections have been held in Kashmiris for the past six decades. “These elections have strengthened India occupation and created fifth column of turncoats. Those who participate in these elections should consider losses Kashmiri nation has suffered for liberty,” he said.

Musaib, an erstwhile militant said the recent massive non-violent uprising would be go haywire if people participate in elections. “The Indian state is muzzling the genuine voice by scheming elections,” he said.

Hilal Ahmed War said people of Kashmir have been struggling for the right to self-determination not for elections. “For the past 61 yeas India has played the game of elections and selections a number of times but Kashmiris could not be assimilated into Indian fold. Participation in elections would be a sellout against the sacrifices of our men and material.”

War suggested New Delhi to hold plebiscite instead of repeating a “worthless exercise”.

Dr Muhammad Qasim Faktoo, a scholar and an ideologue of the current pro-independence movement facing life imprisonment considers the participation in elections averse to the Muslim faith.

Faktoo who serving 15th year of his detention said: “Kashmiris are peace loving people who are being suppressed under the garb of elections. Any involvement in these elections is harmful to the faith of a Muslim.”

Faktoo’s wife Aasiya Andrabi detained under the ill-famed Public Safety Act (PSA) said people of Kashmir are suffering for demanding their right to self-determination. “Elections can not be a substitute to self-determination. Abstaining from elections is the only way subjugated nations express their aspirations,” she said.

Suhail, another detainee said people should mull over the actions of people who came to power through “Indian imposed elections”.

“They played with the honour of nation’s daughters and pillaged its subjects by embezzling the money they pay in the form of taxes,” he said.

Kashmir High Court Bar Association Vice President Muhammad Abdullah Pandit who met Kashmiri political prisoners lodged in jails outside Kashmir on many occasions said the detainees are living in subhuman conditions but their support with the movement is unflinching.

“They consider elections detrimental to the freedom struggle and want leaders to campaign aggressively in favour of boycott so that India is pressurized to respect the aspirations of the people of the State,” Pandit said.
Ends-SANA-IH