KNP will work with like minded people to promote united and independent Kashmir

London, Nov.13 (ANI): The Kashmir National Party has strongly condemned the human rights abuse in Kashmir, and said that it is ready to work with like minded people to promote a united and independent Kashmir.

KNP leaders attending an executive council meeting here,said: "Jammu and Kashmir State is one political entity and must remain so whatever the future outcome of the State.The dispute is a political in nature and those who are trying to communalise it are making its resolution more difficult, and they are paving the way for division on religious line."

"Scars of communal division of India in 1947 are still visible and haunting people of South Asia. We must oppose the division of the State and fight forces of communalism, extremism and hatred," they added.

They said their struggle is for united and independent Jammu and Kashmir; a Kashmir where all citizens of the State are treated equally and no one is persecuted because of religion, colour, region or ethnic back ground. They said unlike some parties our struggle is not for rights of Muslims, rather we want human rights of all citizens respected. We want alleople of the State to enjoy fruits of democracy and live without fear and intimidation.

They said they will not cooperate with those who are promoting either an Indian or a Pakistani agenda on Kashmir. They said the people of Jammu and Kashmir needed to be more careful of those who are wearing the hat of an independent Kashmir, but advancing the agenda of "our occupiers".

They said it is hypocrisy of leaders to actively take part or support electoral process in Pakistani Administered Kashmir, but oppose the same electoral process on the other side of the divide, especially when the UN Security Council has made it clear that no election can substitute plebiscite.

"Elections are not held to decide the future status of the State; they are held to run local administration that the elected leaders could help to resolve everyday problems of local people. Those who oppose elections are against democratic process and are frightened that they will lose them, hence be exposed before the people," they added.

KNP leaders said they are seriously considering fielding a candidate in bye-election taking place for the Azad Kashmir Assembly.

"We strongly oppose Act 74 which bars those candidates who oppose accession to Pakistan ideology, but have agreed to take part in elections in support of the democratic process," they said.

Abbas Butt, Nazam Bhatti, Masoom Ansari, Zubbair Ansari, Ehsan Ansari, Nawaz Majid, Asim Mirza, Isahaq Mughal, Mumtaz Mirza and Dr Shabir Choudhry attended the meeting. (ANI)