Parliamentary elections have no bearing on Kashmir dispute: HC

Srinagar, May 05, 2009: Rejecting the Parliamentary elections, the moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) said election or selection will not affect the Kashmir issue, which has to be resolved as per the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In a statment issued here today media advisor to HC chairman Moulvi Omar Farooq, Syed Saleem Geelani said this was a futile exercise.

 These elections have no bearing on nature of the dispute, Mr Geelani, who evaded arrest though his houses was raided by police for the past two weeks said.

He said because of the Kashmir issue, three conventional wars took place between Pakistan and India.

Mr Geelani said elections were being held since 1947 without making any head on the issue.

He appealed to people to boycott the polls on May 7 in Srinagar and May 13 in the Baramulla Parliamentary constituencies.

The Hurriyat leader expressed concern over the continued house arrrests and detention of separatist leaders and their health conditions in detention centers.

He said two more HC leaders Lateef Ahmad Malik and Waseem Ahmad were arrested by the police.

-- (UNI)