The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday accused New Delhi of hatching a conspiracy to permanently settle its soldiers in Kashmir.

The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday accused New Delhi of hatching a conspiracy to permanently settle its soldiers in Kashmir. 

Geelani leveled the allegation while referring to the recent statements of Defence Minister AK Anthony and GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Syed Atta Hasnain that there would be no reduction in deployment of soldiers and in the Valley and that they are being taught Kashmiri language respectively. 

“I want to maintain 1 Million Indian soldiers are camping in Kashmir without any justification. In presence of the soldiers, Kashmir’s identity and respect besides water resources and forests are totally unsafe. Even if the leadership of India, Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir talk with each other for decades together, they can’t reach any solution till the soldiers are present in the Valley,” Geelani said. 

Geelani said fresh round of talks between India and Pakistan had lost its credibility in the wake of statements of Defence Minister and senior Army officers that there would be no reduction in the number of soldiers across the Valley.
 
“Lt.Gen Hasnain’s statement that the soldiers are being taught Kashmiri makes it clear that efforts are being not only to settle them permanently in Kashmir but make them its citizens according to a conspiracy. In this situation, Kashmiris have only two options either to watch as mute spectators or peacefully fight to quell the conspiracies against them and fight for their right to self-determination,” Geelani said./GK