Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Vol: 24 No. 08
Monthly August 2018
INSIGHT
“Kashmir remains our biggest contention. It is unfortunate that Kashmir, which is the core issue
between Pakistan and India, has suffered immense human rights violations at the hands of
Indian Army in the last 30 years. The leadership of Pakistan and India now need to come to the
table to resolve it.”
services.
Defying curfew and restrictions,
Kashmiri youth came out of their
houses in several areas and tried
to march towards the residence
of Burhan Wani in Tral. Indian
troops resorted to brute force to
prevent the march. Clashes were
witnessed between the
protesters and the Indian troops
in many areas of the town. The
troops fired bullets and teargas
shells on the protesters who
pelted them with stones.
A prayer session was organised
by the Jammu and Kashmir
Muslim Conference for Burhan rally in Islamabad to commemo- Kashmir, India could not stop the
Muzaffar Wani and other rate the second martyrdom Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle for
martyrs of 2016 uprising in anniversary of Burhan Wani. The securing their inalienable right to
Handwara area of Kupwara. protesters were carrying self-determination.
Party Chairman, Shabbir Ahmed portraits of martyred Burhan The Hurriyat leaders said that
Dar, presided over the meeting. Wani and banners and placards the killing of Burhan Wani
Hurriyat leaders including Hilal reading anti-India and pro- triggered a mass uprising that
Ahmed War, Javaid Ahmed Mir, freedom slogans. They also still continued. During this
Mukhtar Ahmed Waza, shouted high-pitched slogans in period, many civilian protesters
Muhammad Ahsan Untoo and favour of Kashmir’s freedom have been killed, many injured
Imtiaz Ahmed Reshi addressing from the Indian occupation. and the eyesight of thousands of
public gatherings in Tral, Addressing the rally, the youth has been damaged by the
Pulwama, Islamabad and Hurriyat leaders said that pellets fired by the Indian forces,
they deplored.
Prime Minister of Azad Jammu
and Kashmir, Raja Farooq
Haider Khan, Ghulam
Muhammad Safi, Syed Faiz
Naqshbandi and other Hurriyat
leaders participated in the rally.
On the second anniversary of
Burhan Wani, his father,
Muzaffar Ahmed Wani, in an
interview said that everybody
knew Jammu and Kashmir had
seen a complete change after
Burhan’s martyrdom. “I think it
is because every day people
especially young boys are
harassed, tortured and detained
Srinagar areas paid glowing martyred Burhan Wani had due to which they are adopting
tributes to Burhan Wani and added a new page to the history various methods of resistance. I
other Kashmiri martyrs. of the ongoing freedom move- can only blame (Indian) govern-
The leaders of Azad Jammu and ment. They said that by killing ment for this situation. Being a
Kashmir chapter of All Parties people and committing crimes teacher I don’t shy away from
Hurriyat Conference organised a against humanity in occupied saying that ‘to every action there
tributes to Burhan Wani said that Kashmiri martyrs. Kashmiri had been minimal and in this
massive protests in occupied representative and the Chairman modern age, young people could
Kashmir should serve as an eye- of South Asia Centre for Peace potentially make a lasting
opener for New Delhi and it and Human Rights, Professor impact, particularly in the case of
should realise the fact that the Nazir Ahmed Shawl, addressing Kashmir.
worst form of its state terrorism the rally reiterated that the They said that Kashmir Youth
had failed to subdue the supreme sacrifices of the Assembly was the first youth
Kashmiris’ freedom sentiment Kashmiri martyrs would be organisation of its kind dedi-
and they were determined to honoured by accomplishing cated to youth activism focussing
take their ongoing liberation their noble mission. He main- on Kashmir. They said that with
movement to its logical conclu- tained that the echo of the the guidance and assistance of
sion. sacrifices of the Kashmiri people their elders who had dedicated
Other Hurriyat leaders including was being heard in different their lives and made much
Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, international fora. sacrifices, they hoped to continue
Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Young Kashmiris in the UK also the struggle for freedom against
Al-Safvi, Yasmeen Raja, came together to pay homage occupation and for the right to
Zamruda Habib, Farida Bahenji, and respect to the Kashmiri decide their fate by themselves.
Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, martyrs who have sacrificed The holding of anti-India
Hakeem Abdur Rasheed, Syed their lives in the ongoing demonstrations and observance
Bashir Andrabi, Bilal Siddiqi, struggle for right to self- of strike by the people of occu-
Mir Shahid Saleem, pied Kashmir on the
Mukhtar Ahmed martyrdom anniver-
Waza, Javaid Ahmed sary of Burhan Wani
Mir and Zafar Akbar sent a loud and clear
Butt in their state- message to India that
ments also paid rich people of Kashmir
tributes to Burhan reject its illegal
Wani. They said that occupation of their
the Kashmiri martyrs’ homeland. New Delhi
sacrifices, which had needs to acknowledge
centre-staged the the fact that its state
Kashmir dispute at the terrorism had failed to
global level, would not suppress the
be allowed to go waste Kashmiris’ resolve to
and their mission get rid of its subjuga-
w o u l d b e a c c o m- determination. They vowed to tion during the past seventy one
plished at all costs. They continue the struggle against years and it must respect their
described Burhan Wani as a oppression and injustice sentiments and fulfill its promise
strong symbol of youth resis- committed against the innocent of giving them their right to self-
tance in occupied Kashmir. They people of occupied Kashmir. determination.
said that the oppressed Kashmiri The young Kashmiris under the It is also high time for the world
people would always remain banner of the Kashmir Youth community to take cognisance of
indebted to this youth icon of Assembly assembled in London the Indian brutalities in the
Kashmir who sacrificed every and stressed the need to high- occupied territory and play its
comfort and luxury of life for the light at the international level, role in the settlement of the
Kashmir cause. the gross human rights viola- Kashmir dispute in accordance
British Kashmiris including tions being perpetrated by the with the aspirations of the
women and children assembled Indian troops in the occupied Kashmiri people for ensuring
at Victoria Square in front of territory and advocate the cause durable peace not only in South
Lord Mayor’s office in for right to self-determination. Asia but also in the entire world.
Birmingham to join the rally They said that international
organised to pay tributes to all youth engagement on Kashmir
(Humayun Aziz Sandeela)
Nabi War and Ghulam Nabi stance and give the Kashmiris of South Asia Centre for Peace
Waseem in their statements paid their right to self-determination and Human Rights, Professor
rich tributes to the martyrs of in accordance with the UN Nazir Ahmed Shawl, addressing
July 13, 1931 and reiterated that resolutions. the rally reiterated that the
the people of Kashmir will never The speakers appealed to the supreme sacrifices of the
hesitate to render any kind of international community to play Kashmiri martyrs would be
sacrifice in their struggle for its role in stopping the Indian honoured by accomplishing
securing their birthright to self- state terrorism in the territory. their noble mission. He appealed
determination. They demanded immediate and to the international community
The High Court Bar Association unconditional release of all to take cognisance of the Indian
of occupied Kashmir in its illegally detained Hurriyat brutalities in occupied Kashmir
statement in Srinagar paid rich leaders and activists languishing and initiate measures to resolve
tributes to the martyrs of July 13, in different jails. They also the Kashmir dispute.
1931 and demanded that the appealed to the Pakistan govern- Meanwhile, Kashmir Council
mission of the martyrs should be ment to apprise the international European Union (KCEU)
supported by all people across community of the latest situation organised a peaceful protest
the globe who believe in funda- of occupied Kashmir through its camp in Brussels, the capital of
mental freedoms of the people. effective diplomacy. Belgium, on the occasion of the
Meanwhile, martyrdom
leaders of anniversary of
Hurriyat Azad Kashmiri martyrs
Jammu and of 13th July 1931.
Kashmir chapter The camp was
organised a held in front of
condolence E u r o p e a n
reference to mark Union’s institu-
the Kashmir tions including
Martyrs’ Day and EU’s External
pay tributes to the Action Service at
Kashmiri martyrs t h e E U
including those Headquarters in
who sacrificed Brussels. The
their lives on July programme was a
13, 1931. The part of KCEU’s
speakers in their
widespread
addresses highlighted the The speakers included Ghulam
Muhammad Safi, Muhammad awareness campaign on Kashmir
sacrifices of the martyrs of 1931
Farooq Rehmani, Syed Faiz and the copies of the UN’s recent
and said that they had laid the
Naqshbandi, Abdul Hameed report on Kashmir were also
foundation of Kashmir freedom
Lone and Syed Muzaffar Shah. handed over to the officials of the
movement. They reaffirmed the
Kashmiris’ resolve to carry on the EU’s institutions.
Abid Khurshid, Raja Kafeel,
martyrs’ mission till it reached its Shehzad Rathore, Arshad Saani, During the camp, the volunteers
logical conclusion. Ejaz Abbasi, Abid Abbasi and of KCEU also took signatures
The speakers said that India was Sardar Hameed were also from the European people in
using brutal tactics including present on the occasion. favour of Kashmiris’ right to self-
arrests, harassment and the use British Kashmiris including determination and against the
of brute force to suppress the women and children assembled human rights violations perpe-
ongoing liberation struggle of at Victoria Square in front of trated by the Indian troops in
Kashmiri people but would Lord Mayor’s office in occupied Kashmir. They also
never succeed in its nefarious Birmingham to join the rally informed the European people
designs. They urged the Indian organised to pay tributes to all about the prevailing situation in
government to give up its rigid Kashmiri martyrs. The Chairman the territory.
as part of RSS’ well known 35-A tooth and nail. Association Surankote;
communal agenda on Jammu On the other hand, members of Advocate Basharat Khan,
and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Civil President of Bar Association
The resistance leaders said that a Society Coordination Mendhar; Advocate Chaudhary
strict vigil would be maintained Committee, Mir Javaid Nazir, President of Bar
on the situation as they would Advocate, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Association Budhal/ Koteranka
continue to devise and follow a and Jagmohan Singh Raina, (Rajouri); and Advocate Shaheen
collective strategy in consulta- submitted an application in the Ajaz, President of Bar
tion with all segments of society, Indian Supreme Court seeking Association Thannamandi;
including traders, lawyers, civil dismissal of the petition filed for strongly supported the retention
society members, transporters the abrogation of the Article 35- of Article 35-A.
and others on the issue. They A. Earlier on July 31, representa-
lauded the people of Jammu and In the meantime, more than 300 tives of twenty-seven bodies
Kashmir from all regions and Lawyers of Jammu unanimously from a cross section of society
religions for their unity and passed a resolution at a meeting addressed a press conference in
exemplary courage in defending in Jammu for strengthening and Srinagar to show their resent-
this law, which was fundamental retention of Article 35-A. The ment against the conspiracies
to their existence. meeting was held under the being hatched to change the
The leaders said that demographic
this law was directly composition of
related to the J a m m u a n d
disputed status of Kashmir. The
the entire Jammu representatives of
and Kashmir as civil society groups,
people of the business chambers
territory were yet to and federations,
exercise their right transporters,
t o s e l f - tourism fraternity,
determination horticulturists,
guaranteed by the industrialists,
UN through its academia and other
several resolutions. social, religious and
Other Hurriyat cultural organisa-
leaders including tions said that the
Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, chairmanship of senior advocate press conference had been
Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi A V Gupta at a hall in Jammu necessitated to exhibit their unity
Al-Safvi, Shabbir Ahmed Dar, High Court. Other prominent against the onslaught on their
Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, lawyers who expressed their hereditary state subject law.
Bilal Siddiqi, Hakeem Abdur views on the occasion included Meanwhile, Indian media
Rasheed, Mukhtar Ahmed Muhammad Aslam Goni, S C quoting Indian intelligence
Gupta, K K Pangotra, Abdul agencies reported that the
Waza, Zafar Akbar Butt,
Hamid Qazi, Sheikh Shakeel possible abrogation of Article 35-
Yasmeen Raja, Zamruda Habib,
Ahmed, Pawan Kundal, Murtaza A might trigger revolt in the
Farida Bahenji, Javaid Ahmed ranks of Jammu and Kashmir
Mir, Muhammad Iqbal Mir, Khan, M R Qureshi, Ehsan Mirza,
police. Director General of
Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, Shah Muhammad Chaudhary
Kashmir Police, Shesh Paul Vaid,
Imtiaz Ahmed Reshi, Ghulam and A H Butt. admitted that the local police had
Nabi War, Ghulam Nabi Meanwhile, a number of a view about this emotive issue.
Waseem and Maulana Muffasil/District Bars also held It is to mention here that the
Muhammad Abdullah Tari in interactions on the retention of Indian Supreme Court sensing
their separate statements said Article 35-A. Advocate Haq increasing tension in occupied
that the people of Jammu and Nawaz Mirza, President Bar Kashmir adjourned the hearing
Kashmir would resist any Association Rajouri; Advocate of Article 35-A till August 27,
attempt to abrogate the Article Yasir Janjua, President Bar 2018.
UN HR Report on Kashmir
tabled in UK Parliament
The United Nations Human Pakistan and India to find a Britain to play an effective role in
Rights Report on Kashmir, resolution to this long-standing the resolution of the Kashmir
released in June, was tabled in dispute. He said that equally, dispute.
the British House of Lords on with reference to the report and Syed Ali Gilani in a statement
July 24, 2018 by the British peers the importance of some of its issued in Srinagar said that the
who called upon the UK govern- findings, they encourage all UK should play a key role and
ment to take steps to help states, including India and share responsibility for amicable
implement the recommenda- Pakistan, to respond positively to resolution of the vexed Kashmir
tions. the request of the UN High issue. He said that the people of
Lord Qurban Hussain raised the Commissioner for Human Kashmir hoped that all members
issue in the Upper House of the Rights to allow his team to visit of United Nations would listen to
Parliament, calling upon the occupied Kashmir and Azad their screams and take notice of
British government to facilitate Jammu and Kashmir. the atrocities perpetrated by the
an independent international Indian authorities on them and
inquiry into rights abuses in
occupied Kashmir. He said that
according to the UN report on
Kashmir, serious human rights
violations took place between
July 2016 and April 2018 and the
report denounced the lack of
prosecutions of Indian forces’
personnel in occupied Kashmir
due to the black law, Armed
Forces Special Powers Act, which
gives the Indian troops virtual
impunity for their actions.
Lord Qurban Hussain was joined
by a fellow peer, Lord Nazir
Ahmed, who said that it was the
UK’s responsibility as a perma- Lord Tariq Ahmed also said that would make efforts to see their
nent member of the UN Security both India and Pakistan were aspiration for right to self-
Council to defend and protect tied together by history, culture determination accomplished.
human rights around the world. and families. “Indeed, my The APHC Chairman hailed the
On behalf of the UK government, parents herald from India and British MPs for their keen interest
Lord Tariq Ahmed in his my wife’s parents herald from in the issue and termed it as
capacity as Minister of State for Pakistan. Communities and encouraging. He maintained that
the Commonwealth and United families can come together. the Britain had a great role to
Nations in the Foreign and Perhaps I am living proof of play in creating a conducive
Commonwealth Office (FCO) that,” he added. atmosphere for peaceful resolu-
responded that he would Meanwhile, the Chairman of All tion of the lingering Kashmir
continue to raise the importance Parties Hurriyat Conference, dispute.
of the issues in occupied Kashmir Syed Ali Gilani, referring to the Syed Ali Gilani also appreciated
with the Indian government. He UN Human Rights Report on the efforts of Lord Qurban
pointed out that in one of his Kashmir presented by Lord Hussain, Lord Nazir Ahmed and
visits towards the end of last Qurban Hussain, Lord Nazir Lord Tariq Ahmed for high-
year, he raised the issue of Ahmed and Lord Tariq Ahmed lighting the Kashmir dispute in
Kashmir and the need for in the UK Parliament urged the the UK Parliament.
Indian troops and police three youth including Tamseel a demonstration against killing
personnel in strength in all major Ahmed Khan and Sameer of youth in Trehgam.
towns to prevent people from Ahmed Sheikh during a July 13: A youth, Ghulam Rasool,
staging anti-India crackdown operation at was injured in the firing of Indian
demonstrations and conducting Kundalan in Shopian. Indian troops on protesters in Achabal
a march towards Tral on the 2nd police and troops also injured area of Islamabad district.
martyrdom anniversary of over 150 people and damaged The occupation authorities put
popular youth leader, Burhan several houses by resorting to Hurriyat leaders including Syed
Muzaffar Wani. The authorities heavy firing and shelling in the Ali Gilani and Mirwaiz Umar
put several Hurriyat leaders area. Farooq under house arrest.
including Syed Ali Gilani, A first year student, Ubaid July 14: Indian forces' personnel
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Manzoor Lone, who was injured thrashed and critically injured
Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, during Indian troops’ firing on two women, Showkeena Bano
Muhammad Yasin Malik, Zafar protesters in Nadihal area of and Aamina Bano, in Trehgam
Akbar Butt, Bilal Siddiqi and Sopore in Baramulla district on area of Kupwara.
Muhammad Yousuf Naqash June 25, 2018, succumbed to his Indian police arrested three
under house detention or in injuries at Soura Institute of youth from Pulwama.
custody to stop them from Medical Sciences in Srinagar. July 15: The police arrested three
leading the march youth during
towards Tral, the house raids in Heff
hometown of area of Shopian.
Burhan Wani. The The police also
authorities also took thirteen
suspended train teachers into
and internet custody in
services in the Baramulla district.
occupied territory. July 16: Indian
Several youth troops killed a
sustained injuries youth during a
after Indian police siege and search
and paramilitary operation in
personnel used Batpora Safawali
brute force on Gali area of
peaceful protesters Kupwara district.
at Nowdal Tral in Indian police
Pulwama district. July 11: Indian troops killed a arrested liberation leader,
July 09: Indian troops killed a civilian, Khalid Ghaffar Malik, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, from his
youth during a cordon and and injured several others by office in Srinagar and a youth,
search operation at Khanpora opening indiscriminate fire on Sabzar Ahmed Mir, from
Magam in Handwara. peaceful protesters in Trehgam Pulwama.
Indian police arrested several area of Kupwara district. July 17: The troops barged into
youth from Tangdhar and July 12: The troops killed a residential houses, beat up
Lalpora areas of Kupwara youth during a violent siege and several people and vandalised
district. search operation at Sadu Ganga property in Moshwara area of
The police arrested member of Kandi in Kupwara district. Shopian.
the so-called Kashmir Assembly, Several persons were injured A 66-year-old man, Ghulam
Engineer Abdur Rasheed, from after Indian troops resorted to Hassan Malik alias Noor Khan,
Pampore when he was on his indiscriminate firing on who was illegally detained
way to lead a protest march peaceful protesters in Trehgam under black law Public Safety
against killing of civilians by the town of Kupwara district. Act, died at Government Medical
troops in Radwani area of Indian police arrested member of College in Jammu. He was
Kulgam district. the so-called Kashmir Assembly, shifted to the GMC from Kot
July 10: Indian troops killed Engineer Abdur Rasheed, during Bhalwal Jail in Jammu.
or the other. He also cautioned against the Kashmiris. “We further instilling fear among the
people about future detrimental have bitter experience that families of prisoners and to
proposals of New Delhi and its Indian judiciary instead of build pressure on the people of
puppets and called for jointly delivering justice and bringing Kashmir to force them into
fighting against this lawless- culprits to book, is providing submission.
ness. safe passage to the culprits,” he Other Hurriyat leaders
The APHC Chairman said that said. including Muhammad Yasin
the occupation authorities were Syed Ali Gilani appealed to the Malik, Agha Syed Hassan Al-
even flouting the directives of Amnesty International, Asia Moosvi Al-Safvi, Yasmeen Raja,
the Indian Supreme Court Watch and other world human Zamruda Habib, Farida Bahenji,
which stated that a prisoner rights organisations to take Muhammad Yousuf Naqash,
should be kept in the jail nearest cognisance of the plight of the Shabbir Ahmed Dar, Hakeem
to the place of his residence. Kashmiri detainees and play Abdur Rasheed, Syed Bashir
“The families and even children role in their release. Andrabi, Bilal Siddiqi, Mukhtar
of the detainees are suffering The Chairman of Hurriyat Ahmed Waza, Javaid Ahmed
badly as the prisoners are forum, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mir, Mir Shahid Saleem and
lodged in jails outside the in a statement in Srinagar Zafar Akbar Butt in their
Kashmir Valley and despite expressed serious concern over statements denounced the act of
court rulings, deleting the
hundreds of provision of
those detained draconian law
were unneces- Public Safety Act.
sarily shifted, They said that the
thus facing move was aimed
adverse situa- at victimising the
t i o n s a n d Kashmiri polit-
scorning and ical prisoners by
harsh tempera- lodging them in
tures,” he said. Indian jails far
Syed Ali Gilani away from their
said, Indian homes.
leaders follow The High Court
their bigoted Bar Association
dogma and their of occupied
approach is quite the amendment to the draco- Kashmir in a
brutal and haughty. He termed nian Public Safety Act (PSA) statement described the dele-
it heart-wrenching that several terming the move as anti- tion of PSA provision as a
innocents were detained for human and politically- politically-motivated move
long periods on frivolous motivated that reflected the aimed at terrorising, torturing
charges. Citing the cases where revengeful mentality of the and humiliating the freedom-
Indian judiciary has failed to Indian authorities against the loving people of Kashmir.
deliver justice to the Kashmiris, Kashmiri political prisoners. He “It is neither fair nor just that a
he said that the cases related to said that dozens of prisoners detenue should have to suffer in
Muhammad Maqbool Butt, lodged in jails outside occupied such place as the government
Muhammad Afzal Guru, rape Kashmir including Delhi’s may specify. The normal rule
and murder of Aasifa, double notorious Tihar Jail were has to be that the detenue will be
murder and rape of Aasiya and deprived of basic facilities like kept in detention in a place
Neelofar and human shield medical care and hygienic food. which is within the environs of
case. He said that these cases The Hurriyat forum Chairman his or her ordinary place of
were glaring examples of Indian said that the amendment to residence,” the Bar Association
judiciary’s biased approach draconian PSA was aimed at said.
people.
A chronological account of March 05: Indian police arrest
AUGUST 2018 27
Chronology
Kashmiri houseboats
The Jammu and Kashmir Nishat: Nishat is the
has become a great tourist favorite houseboat for
destination because it has honeymooners. It
developed and taken care comprises one double
of its uniqueness in a bedroom and offers all the
perfect manner. comforts of privacy, facing
Houseboats in Indian the lake.
occupied Kashmir serve as
Kushdil: Kushdil is again
the best medium to fulfill
the favorite of newlywed
your dream of staying as
couples or honeymooners,
close to nature as possible.
Generally, you will find two or and it too has one double
They have made people's fantasy
more bedrooms with attached bedroom. It has all modern
of living on the water come true.
bathroom, common eating-place facilities for its guests.
Facing the majestic Himalayas
and offering the pleasant sounds and a balcony. The interiors are Gulshan: It is a two bedroom
of rolling waters, these house- decorated in typical Kashmiri boat with a verandah in front.
boats are the greatest attraction style with vibrant colours and Meant for family vacations, this
in Kashmir. art. A few boats may have a houseboat provides outstanding
separate cook boat attached to view of the snow-clad peaks
One can experience the stunning the main houseboat that serves a from the verandah.
beauty of these houseboats and variety in Chinese, Continental
the natural surroundings on Dal Clermont: Another two
and authentic Kashmiri dishes. bedroom boat, the Clermont too
Lake, Nagin Lake and Jhelum You can find a wide variety of
River. The houseboats as old as offers vacations with ultimate
houseboats and you can easily
find the one that suits your
requirements.
Firdous: These houseboats are
very grand and huge in their
looks as well as construction. The
royal Firdous has three double
bedrooms with attached bath-
rooms, hot and cold water, and
living room. There are proper cozy atmosphere and privacy. It
facilities for electricity and is perfect for those who love to
50 years can be seen in Kashmir. cooking. The balcony space is big
Earlier used by the people of spend their holidays on waters in
enough to seat a group of friends. solitude.
fishing communities only, these The interiors are decorated with
boats today are not merely a Kashmiri handicrafts. The silent The credit for initiating the trend
tourist attraction but are also a atmosphere, breathtaking of living in a houseboat in
place where the use of unique natural beauty and the homely Kashmir goes to the Britishers
Kashmiri handicrafts can be seen comfort are capable of providing who were prohibited to own land
(in furniture, carpets etc.). They freshness to any exhausted by the Maharaja of Kashmir. As a
are completely made of wood traveler. result, they built their residences
and provide the guests with on water. Today, it is more than
homely environment, quiet Kushal: Khushal is compara- just a house on the lake. Almost
surroundings and enchanting tively smaller than Firdous. It has all the major rivers and lakes in
views outside. Quite similar to a two bedrooms and all other Kashmir offer houseboat cruises
fully furnished house, they offer desired comforts similar to a to the tourists. These houseboats
you proper living rooms, three or four star hotel room. The can also be used for 'shikara'
drawing and dining rooms, design of the rooms and furni- rides (simply wandering in the
carved wooden furniture and ture is unique. It is perfect for lake), or sunbathing on the top-
beautifully decorated interiors. family holidays. deck.
“We have no further interest, and we have agreed that a plebiscite in Kashmir might
take place under international auspices after peace and order have been established.
“We desire only to see peace restored in Kashmir and ensure that the people of
Kashmir are left free to decide in an orderly and peaceful manner the future of their
state.”