LONDON, Feb 5: Expressing full solidarity with the struggling Kashmiris, British Kashmiris on Saturday sought support of their government to press India for implementing four Kashmir Centric Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to pave the way for a just resolution of the Kashmir issue.
The Kashmir Centric CBMs were proposed to the British government in a memorandum submitted here on Saturday by a delegation of British Kashmiris following a peaceful demonstration opposite 10 Downing Street on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day.
The delegation comprised President of Muslim Conference, UK, Mehmood Riaz, Executive Director of Kashmir Centre Nazir Shawl, Maulana Mohammad Yaqub Chishti, Raja Mohammad Ayub, UK Tehrik-i-Kashmir President Mohammad Ghalib and Fazal Ahmed Qadri.
They urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to use his good offices to prevail upon India to take the four CBMs - reducing the present concentration of troops to the level of 1990, withdrawal of all draconian laws, release of all political prisoners and restoration of all fundamental freedoms including the right to travel and unhindered political activities.
Drawing Mr Blair's attention to the importance of a peaceful solution of the issue, the memorandum said , "Kashmiris hope that you could help undo wrongs done to the Kashmiri people by letting them have their fundamental right to liberty in India's, as well as South Asia's and, indeed, in the world's interest."
It said peace and progress was not possible in the region without solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. It is high time India realized the importance of a just settlement of the lingering issue and its final settlement was not possible without participation of the Kashmiris in the ongoing talks between Pakistan and India.
"The Kashmiri people would like to emphasize that their political future cannot be decided without their full participation," said the memorandum.
It said India had denied access to human rights organizations to hide the massive human rights violations India was committing in held Kashmir. None of the humanitarian relief organizations was allowed to work in Indian occupied Kashmir with the result that thousands of Kashmiris had no access to medical aid.
"This seems to be Indian government's measure to break the will of the Kashmiris to get their freedom", but it would not dampen their resolve to get the right to self-determination under the UN Security Council resolutions.
The UNSC resolutions, the memorandum said, 'has never been abrogated, and remains as the most precious gifts given to the people of Kashmir'.-APP