Friday, August 13, 2010

Kashmir rejects partial autonomy offer by India

Press TV, Aug 11, 2010


Kashmiris hurl stones at Indian paramilitary soldiers during a protest march in south of Srinagar on Aug. 11, 2010.

Pro-independence groups in Indian-administered Kashmir are rejecting an offer of political autonomy for the region from India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Several senior separatist politicians in the disputed region have rejected Singh’s initiative. The groups say they are fighting for independence, not autonomy.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a Muslim cleric and an influential moderate separatist said on Wednesday that Kashmiris’ right to self-determination should be respected.

“Our struggle is not for restoration of autonomy. It is to seek our right to self-determination,” AFP quoted Farooq as saying.

“We should be allowed to decide whether we want to remain with India, accede to Pakistan or carve out an independent state,” he said.

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