JKLF decides to stay away from Pakistan mission's Eid Milan

The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on Friday announced it has decided to stay away from Pakistan High Commission's Eid Milan function to protest ignoring the human problem of 13 million Kashmiris living in Indian and Pakistani Kashmir.

"Kashmir is actually ruled by oppression and tyranny where even breathing freely is banned. Ignoring Kashmir in negotiations is not acceptable and to register our democratic dissent, JKLF will not participate in Eid Milan party hosted by Pakistani high commission in Delhi," JKLF chairman Yasin Malik said in a statement here.

Malik, who was scheduled to address a public rally in Charar-e-Sharief town of Budgam district on Friday but placed under house arrest here on Thursday, claimed Kashmir has been turned into a "dictatorial state where even talking, going for condolences has been banned".

"In this regard Mufti regime has surpassed all previous records of oppression and restrictions and an atmosphere of suffocation has been implemented that is unprecedented," he said in the statement.

Commenting upon the recent parleys between India and Pakistan in Russia and joint declaration that had no mention of Kashmir, Malik said that ignoring Jammu Kashmir in talks or joint declarations is highly regrettable.

"The institution of dialogue has been turned as futile and non-serious in case of Jammu and Kashmir which has created doubts in the minds of common people... Kashmiris are not against peace and progress between Indian and Pakistan.

"We want these two countries to get together and resolve their issues but at the same time, Indian and Pakistani leadership will have to also demonstrate some magnanimity regarding Kashmiris," he said.

"These two countries cannot prosper and progress while keeping the entire Kashmiri nation as hostage for their petty gains," he added.

He said that the issue of Eid Milan party to be hosted by Pakistani High Commission in Delhi was thoroughly discussed in a meeting and "it was resolved that in view of Ofa (Russia) joint declaration that had no mention of the Kashmir issue, a show of democratic dissent was necessary".

Hardline senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani and woman's separatist group "Dukhtaran-e-Milat" chief Asiya Andrabi have already announced they will stay away from the programme as a symbolic protest.