Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has accused New Delhi of camouflaging ground realities in held Kashmir by creating hype of election and dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on human rights abuses committed allegedly by security forces in the Valley.
"India has been leaving no stone unturned to create hype on elections in held Kashmir to camouflage the ground realities here. This is aimed to hoodwink the international community about Kashmir dispute.
If Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is sincere on held Kashmir, I dare him to speak on unabated human rights violations and misuse of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Public Safety Act and Disturbed Areas Act during his scheduled visit here," the Mirwaiz said.
Modi is scheduled to address his maiden rally at SK Stadium here on December 8. Various independence leaders including Mirwaiz Umar have given a shutdown call against the PM's visit.
The Hurriyat (M) chairman said there is no trace of over 9,000 Kashmiris who allegedly went missing in custody of various security agencies during the past over two decades in held Kashmir.
"India has also maintained silence over 7,000 unmarked graves in held Kashmir.
There are hundreds of cases of human rights violations in which involvement of Indian security forces has been ascertained but no action has been taken against them to keep their morale high," he said.
He said the mainstream parties have been pitching issues of basic amenities while campaigning for elections.
"These pro-India parties are instrumental in launching crackdown on pro-freedom camp and putting our youth behind bars to undertake the election drama. The election rallies being held across held Kashmir is just a facade to hoodwink the international community about sufferings and aspirations of Kashmiris," he said.
"India cannot for long suppress aspirations and rights of Kashmiris. People of Kashmir have repeatedly given their referendum for right to self-determination and even international community acknowledged their peaceful agitations in 2008 and 2010 which were quelled by bullets," he said.
Mirwaiz said to mark the World Human Rights Day on December 10, Hurriyat (M) will impress upon United Nations and International Human Rights organisations to take note of human rights abuses in held Kashmir.
He said on the day, the conglomerate will hold a seminar, photo exhibition and release annual report on human rights scenario in held Kashmir.