Srinagar, Feb 3: Political parties including the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have flayed Jammu and Kashmir Government’s move to prosecute senior separatist leader Nayeem Ahmed Khan in a two-year old case.
 In a statement, Jammu Kashmir National Front strongly reacted to the move, saying that these tactics cannot crush the voice of dissent in the State.
 “This regime seems to be hell bent on reopening of false cases against resistance leaders and activists in view of the forthcoming elections so that nobody can stop them from carrying out the business of manipulating the public”, Hilal Ahmed, general secretary of the party said in a statement issued here.
 “But all these tactics can only boomerang and strengthen the voice of resistance”, he added.
 Hilal hailed “the resolve and contribution of Khan to the ongoing political struggle based on the universally accepted principles of justice and freedom and right to self-determination”.
 “It is the principled stand of Khan and in fact the Kashmiri nation as a whole that Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute. If demanding right to self determination is a crime, then Khan has committed this crime since his childhood and is determined to continue to do so. If standing by truth and the repressed people is a crime, he will commit it again and again”, he said.
 Mirwaiz condemns
 While terming the opening of cases against Khan as illegal and unconstitutional means resorted to by the government aimed at suppressing the ongoing struggle, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has condemned the government action.
 Mirwaiz while castigating the State and Central governments for their dual policy said ‘such tactics are unfortunate and would not deter the pro-freedom leaders from treading on the path of freedom’.
 “On one hand they are talking about opening of channels for negotiations and on the other hand they are harassing pro-freedom leaders on one pretext or the other. The authorities should understand that they can’t suppress people’s aspirations and resolve through such cheap tactics”, Mirwaiz said told local news gathering agency KNS.
 “Hurriyat leadership can’t be stifled through harassment and opening of cases. The movement will go on and the government should understand that popular movements don’t get bogged down by such measures”, he added.
 He called upon the state and central governments to refrain from tactics aimed at pressurizing separatist leaders. “It is clearly an effort to implicate the separatist leaders one by one, however, we will not be pressurized nor can they suppress our voices. If they are serious about resolving disputes through talks, they should desist from such cheap and nefarious acts”, Mirwaiz said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 4 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST