SRINAGAR; 20, April 2013: Holding the Government of India responsible for ‘provoking’ youth in Kashmir, noted human rights activist Gautam Nawlakha today said that though the people of Valley have shunned path of violence ‘their voices still go unheard’.

“People of Kashmir were asked to adopt path of non-violence to carry on their struggle. They have shunned the path of violence but no one is listening to them now. Voices of youth are suppressed by force when they hold peaceful protest demonstrations”, said Nawlakha while addressing a seminar on 9th death anniversary of social activist, Asiya Jeelani at Srinagar on Saturday. He said that by suppressing peaceful voices of people in Valley, authorities are pushing youth into taking up arms once again.

Terming the right to self to determination as the only way to resolve vexed Kashmir issue, Nawlakha said Indian Civil Society is conveying facts outside Kashmir. “Indian civil society does aware people in their states once they visit Kashmir and understand the facts on ground”, he claimed.

Other speakers in event appealed international community and UNO to intervene and press India to hold independent probe into issues unidentified graves, human rights violations, disappearance of youth and other atrocities.

Speakers paid tribute to Asiya Jeelani. The Seminar was organized by human rights organization Coalition of Civil Society.(KNS)