Srinagar, Kashmir (July 24, 2013): It is learnt that Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar President Simranjit Singh Mann, who has been visiting Jammu and Kashmir said on July 23, 2013: “We have no hesitation in saying that Kashmir is an ‘occupied territory’ and its only solution lies in holding plebiscite”.
SAD criticized the state government for eroding Article 370 and said they have turned a blind eye towards the rights of people.
As per media reports the SAD (Amritsar) leaders earlier met various Kashmiri leaders and are expected to visit Bandipora (where two youth were killed by army recently), Chattinsinghpora, Baramulla (Afzal Guru’s residence), Gool Ramban (where four people were killed), in the coming days.
S. Mann desisted from using the word separatist for Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani and others and said they are “freedom fighters.”
S. Mann reportedly said: “If India talks so proudly of its democracy, then they should feel plebiscite in Kashmir as plebiscite is larger part of democracy. India says Kashmir is a bilateral issue, then why they are taking Indus Water Treaty and other issues to World Bank and other international forums. Their leaders have promised many things to the people but later denied them all. It is illegal to keep Kashmir and Punjab occupied”.