Kashmir shut ahead of Modi’s visit

AJK PM says shutdown a referendum against Indian rule

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan said Naremdra Modi's visit to Kashmir will not change the ground situation in Kashmir.

"Complete shutdown in every nook and corner of Kashmir by freedom-loving people of the state on Modi’s visit is a clear referendum against India," Prime Minister Haider said and added that the people of Kashmir knew well that “Modi is not their saviour, rather he is a murderer and his hands are stained with the blood of thousands of innocent people”.

He said that unprecedented courage and valour demonstrated by Kashmiris during Modi’s visit had foiled India’s bid to create an impression of normalcy in Kashmir. He said that New Delhi would not be able achieve anything from it. “India cannot change the status of Kashmir issue.”

Haider said that the whole Kashmir valley had been turned into a military garrison a day before Modi’s visit.

The Indian government could never bribe or buy the people of Kashmir by constructing roads and buildings, he said.

“Kashmir is political problem not an economic one. It is a political issue rather than a problem related to governance, economic packages, incentives or law and order,” he said.

The AJK PM said that peace could not be achieved without solving the Kashmir issue.