SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat (freedom) Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Tuesday said they will soon form an economic advisory council to look at exploitation of natural resources in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"The economic advisory council will discuss all issues where we feel injustice has been done or is being done to Kashmiris," said Farooq, while addressing the media at his party headquarters in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"The council will comprise of members from Hurriyat, civil society, trade and people from different walks of life,"
Farooq said Kashmiris have no say in the formulation of the policies related to exploitation of region's natural resources.
"The government of India and the state (local) government are hand-in-glove in exploiting these resources," he said. "The past agreements between India and Pakistan on Kashmir's water resources have caused loss to Kashmiris and need to be re-looked."
New Delhi and Islamabad has signed a water treaty called Indus Water treaty in 1960. According to this treaty Pakistan has exclusive rights over three large rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab- that first flow through Indian-controlled Kashmir.
The water-sharing agreement however, restricts Indian- controlled Kashmir from fully exploiting its hydro-resources for irrigation and power generation.
Kashmir, the Himalayan region is divided between India and Pakistan. Since 1989, a strong separatist movement demanding end of New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
|
