FB Live: Separatist Leader Hashim Qureshi Calls Violence a Disease

JKDLP Chairperson and separatist leader Hashim Qureshi has a suggestion for violence-hit Kashmir.

At least 32 people have lost their lives in the ongoing protests following the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Curfew continued for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday in most parts of the Kashmir Valley.

Chairperson of Jammu Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party (JKDLP) and a separatist leader Hashim Qureshi spoke with The Quint on Tuesday.

Here are 5 big takeaways from the conversation:

• Hashim Qureshi said violence is a disease and it can never be the solution to Kashmir agitation. Even though he himself has faced it and even indulged in violence as he was involved in hijacking a plane in 1971.
  
• At the age of 17, Qureshi hijacked an Indian Airlines plane and flew it to Pakistan after which he was imprisoned for nine-and-a-half years. He was trained by a retired Pakistani pilot and given commander training in Pakistan.             
  
• According to him, Burhan Wani could have been arrested as he was not armed when caught by the police. He was apparently playing cricket when the police was informed by someone about him. Social media support took Burhan a long way, said Qureshi.
  
• Kashmiris want Hari Singh’s 1947 princely state of Kashmir restored which includes Gilgit, starting from Demchok to Lakhimpur.
  
• Kashmiri Pandits reside peacefully and live together in harmony with Muslims in the valley. Even today. Earlier their death rituals were carried out by Muslims.