*SRINAGAR – *All Party Group European Parliament on Kashmir has urged theGovernment of India “not to pour more oil in the fire” and to abstain fromany (purely electoral) accusations, harassment and detention of themoderate opposition in Kashmir.
In a statement, Members of European Parliament Julie Ward, who also is thepresident of APGK and Klaus Buchner, who is the vice president of APGK saidthat they have been intensively following the politics in Kashmir and areconvinced that the right for self- determination should no longer berefused for Kashmir, disputed between the two nuclear powers India andPakistan.
They said that the National investigation Agency of India (NIA) haspinpointed the Hurriyat leaders for alleged “terror funding” simply becausethey advocate the right to self- determination for the people of Jammu &Kashmir.
The statement said as India is heading for general elections, “we seesigns, which are very disturbing – apparently to attract Hindutva voters.”
Under the pretext of general elections, the statement said, the Indianarmed forces use excessive force that lead to “unlawful killings” and ahigh number of injuries, many caused by pellet-firing shotguns.
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The APGK statement said that the sections of Hurriyat leadership have beenarrested while the NIA raided the residence of Hurriyat Chairman MirwaizUmar Farooq, and is asking him to present himself at the NIA office at NewDelhi.
“We have raised our voices – and will continue to do so – for a peacefulsolution. The European Parliament has therefore adopted resolutions andreports, urging a respect of human rights, rule of law and confidencebuilding measures. We have as well hosted conferences, where all partiesinvolved in the conflict have participated.” (PTK)