Kashmiris want UN Res. implemented

Kashmiri leaders are seeking to win the support of the international community in order to achieve a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir crisis within the framework of the United Nation’s resolution.

Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told The Hindustan Times that he planned to drum up support from China and Iran in their bid to resolve the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

“Iran’s recent statement is encouraging. I plan to travel to New Delhi and meet Muslim ambassadors, including ambassador from Tehran. Iran is a major player like China in Asia. Both countries view Kashmir as a dispute and seem serious about its resolution,” Mirwaiz was quoted as saying by the paper.

He said he planned on traveling to the two countries in the near future.

Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani said he is heading to New Delhi soon to meet the ambassadors of the two countries.

“A visit to Iran and China’s embassies will strengthen our movement on diplomatic front. It will also help us garner more international support for the resolution of Kashmir issue,” said Geelani in a statement.

Indian-administered Kashmir has been the scene of a wave of protests that have led to the deaths of 107 people since June 11, when a 17-year-old student was killed by a police tear-gas grenade. The deaths have been blamed on Indian security forces with most of those killed being mainly teenagers.

Kashmir is partly ruled by both Pakistan and India, but both have laid claim to it in full. The territorial claims have been the leading cause of two of the three wars between the two neighbors since gaining independence from Britain more than half a century ago.

Independence-seeking Kashmiris have fought for over 20 years against New Delhi’s rule in Indian-administered Kashmir. They have been calling for a referendum in order to be able to determine the future of Kashmir.