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'Kashmir under

siege'

WASHINGTON: Kashmir is not only occupied by the Indian army but it is under siege, Prof. William Baker, author of 'Kashmir: Happy Valley, Valley of Death" and human rights activist has said in an interview after a recent trip to Indian-held Kashmir.

Prof. Baker told a interviewer that he has never seen as much of concentration of an occupation army anywhere in the world. "It is unfortunate that such terror is being inflicted on a people who are peace loving, intelligent and want to exercise God given right to self-determination," he said.

He made these remarks during an appearance on a radio programme of Geneva-based "Freely Speaking" alongwith Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director Kashmiri American Council.

The American author quoted extensively from his book to support his assertion that India can only continue to hold Kashmir through its 650,000 strong army of occupation. He said that the children of Kashmir, like their elders, are caught in the never ending daily struggle to survive under Indian occupation. They have nothing to laugh about, or to celebrate other than surviving another day without being shot, beaten or arrested, he added. -APP