Mirwaiz Farooq prays for peace and harmony on Eid

Srinagar, Aug 31 (ANI): Asserting that he would continue to fight against the brutal policies of the Centre that fuelled violence in Jammu and Kashmir, the chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Wednesday prayed for peace and freedom on the occasion of Eid.

Addressing a gathering of Muslims at a mosque here, Farooq prayed for the 'elimination of atrocities', while championing the cause of 'oppressed' locals.

"I have prayed that, with the grace of Allah, may this Eid bring peace upon all of us, may this Eid bring prosperity for everyone, may this Eid eliminate atrocities, may this Eid bring freedom for all of us," said Farooq.

Nearly 50,000 people have been killed in India's Kashmir since the beginning of an insurgency in the 1980s that India says is sponsored by Pakistan. But Islamabad claims that it only lends moral support to an 'indigenous freedom struggle'.

Kashmir has been at the core of their acrimonious relationship over the past six decades with the nuclear-armed neighbours having fought two of their three wars since 1947 over the disputed territory, which is claimed by both in full but ruled in parts.

Farooq maintained that his fight was not against the Indian masses, but the government's attitude towards Kashmir.

"I promise that we will continue to fight for our rights till the time the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved. On this day, I want to send the message of peace to the people of Pakistan and the people of India. Our fight is not against the people of India," said Farooq.

"Our fight is against the policies of India. We are fighting that policy, which has resulted in atrocities and human rights violations," he added.

Stressing that the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted peace and harmony, Farooq called for dialogue and deliberations to resolve the long-standing row.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace. However, there can be no peace till the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved by taking the views of the masses," he said. (ANI)