SANA

SRINAGAR (SANA): The Hurriyat Conference (G) acting chairman, Sheikh Ali Muhammad, has thanked the people for observing a protest strike, saying it was a befitting reply to prime minister’s August 15 assertions on Kashmir.

“Today’s shutdown was a referendum by which the Indian prime minister has been made to see for himself the ground realities. Today Dr Manmohan Singh got a befitting reply to his assertion that pro-freedom leaders were irrelevant in Kashmir. Kashmiris today showed to the world that despite belonging to different groups and ideologies they are one in their struggle for freedom from India,” said Sheikh Ali Muhammad in a statement.

He said, “Now Indian rulers should reconsider their standing policy on Kashmir issue and recognize the ground realities in the larger interest of its own people as well as Kashmiris.”

Questioning the genuineness of 2008 assembly elections, the Hurriyat acting chairman said, “If Omar-led government in the state is really a representative government, let him prove it by calling for a one-day strike. He runs the government with the help of armed forces and police. Once India withdraws support to him, his government will not survive a single day.”

Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir has also thanked the people for observing shutdown on Saturday, terming it an eye-opener for Indian intellectuals.

The incarcerated chairman of Tehreek, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, acting chairman Peer Saidullah and other leaders have, according to a statement, also thanked the people for ‘demonstrating loyalty with the martyrs’ sacrifices by observing complete shutdown on Saturday thereby proving as unjustified, unethical and unconstitutional the Indian control in Kashmir.’

Meanwhile, the Jammu Kashmir Trade Union Movement (F) chairman, Muhammad Shafi Lone, has also thanked the people for making today’s Hurriyat shutdown call a complete success by observing complete strike in all districts. He described the shutdown an eye-opener for prime minister.

Hailing the people for observing shutdown, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen spokesman Ajmal Ahmad termed it an apt reaction to prime minister’s statement. Ajaml, in a statement faxed here, said Kashmiri Muslims on Saturday rejected the outdated stand and views of Indian leadership on Kashmir issue.