MUZAFFARABAD: India should bow before popular public sentiments in held Kashmir in its own interest and end its unlawful occupation of the territory, said President Mam­noon Hussain on Friday.

“The (Indian) occupation forces have employed every brute tactic to suppress the Kashmiris...so much so that the pellet guns meant for hunting wild animals have also been ceaselessly used by them on the innocent and unarmed people of Kash­mir,” he said while speaking at a function held in connection with the birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

He said that rising human rights violations and repression in held Kashmir were enough to shake global conscience.

He called upon the international community to come forward and help Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination.

A further delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell disaster for regional peace, he warned.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2017