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Kashmir : Buzz over self-governance |
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The self-governance or greater autonomy solution to the Kashmir issue continues to remain in focus. The National Conference has associated itself with the slogan of self-governance which has emerged from Pakistan as an addition to innumerable solutions and road maps for tackling the Kashmir issue. The party says that it is the modified version of the autonomy committee report presented in the state legislature in June 2000 during its rule. The report was rejected outright by the then Government at the Centre headed by Atal Bihari Vajapyee of the BJP.
Even the present Government does not appear to be favourably inclined towards the suggested options of self-governance for Jammu and Kashmir emanating from Pakistan and reportedly endorsed by the United States and acceptable to the Hurriyat Conference.
There has been no movement forward on this, according to sources despite claims from Islamabad that the proposal was being discussed actively by the “back channels” of both Governments. To the contrary, the proposal has not been seen as worthy of discussion, the sources said with India’s strategic establishment strongly opposed to the move.
The hardening of posture is evident from the disinclination of the government to fix a second round of talks with the Hurriyat delegation which had made it apparent that they were no longer interested in discussing human rights issues and the release of prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir, but wanted the focus to shift to the larger issue of autonomy and a final resolution of Kashmir.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has urged the Centre to clarify its stand on the Pakistan President’s proposal for self-rule in Kashmir. Speaking to mediapersons in Jammu on December 5, he said the Centre has so far failed to set up a committee to examine the proposal of the National Conference for granting greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, at a meeting in January, had said that a committee would be set up to examine the proposals that could solve the Kashmir issue.
The Hurriyat Conference has said that it supports the idea of self-rule, to be preceded by demilitarization. Former APHC chairman Abdul Gani Bhat said, “The plan has been floated by people who matter in the sub-continent and in some foreign countries.”
In reply to a question, Prof. Bhat said that : “Yes, the self-rule idea could be one of the plausible solutions to the Kashmir issue provided the plan is implemented after a mutual agreement between Delhi, Islamabad and those representatives of the people of Kashmir who have been talking to the Governments in India and Pakistan.
Showing some flexibility in its stand on Kashmir for the first time, the Valley’s first active militant group, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has said that it was ready to consider “other road-maps” if the ultimate destination was Kashmiris’ national emancipation.” Front chairman Amnanullah Khan said, “My organisation has a clear-cut stand on the Kashmir issue, its ultimate solution and a roadmap to reach that destination. Yet, we are ready to see other roadmaps or different options.” He accepted that this would mean taking a look at all the “solutions” being discussed including the establishment of what has been called a United States of Kashmir, demilitarization of both Indian and Pakistani administered parts of Kashmir, self-governance for both parts of Kashmir, joint control of India and Pakistan and turning the present Line of Control into a permanent Indo-Pak border.
Sheikh Abdullah’s 100th birth anniversary celebrated
Different political parties and the Jammu and Kashmir Government organised several functions on December 5 to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah. Rare archival material about the Sheikh known as the Lion of Kashmir was put on/displayed. Observers say that this was in contrast with the situation prevailing in the last three years of the People’s Democratic Party-led rule, when the birth anniversary had become a subdued affair. In a message, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said, Sheikh Abdullah was a great son of the soil who worked with eminent figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He said Sheikh Abdullah was known throughout the world as an honest, dedicated and secular personality.
Terror build up triggers alarm
There are reports of a large scale build-up of Lashkar-e-Taiba cadres in the mountains above Bandipura area of northern Kashmir, sparking fears of a major escalation of terrorist activities in the coming spring season starting from February. There is also evidence of a large effort by Jehadi groups to place operatives inside the Jammu and Kashmir political system.
About a hundred terrorists are believed to have crossed the line of control since the October 8 earthquake. This is the highest level of cross-border infiltration since 2002 when a ceasefire became operational along the line of control.
Sonia Gandhi spends 60th birthday with quake victims
Congress president and UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, visited several quake-hit villages near the line of control on December 9, her 60th birthday, to take stock of the relief and rehabilitation measures taken up by the Government. She had earlier decided not to celebrate her birthday and to spend two days with the victims of the October 8 earthquake. But if she had thought that it would be all greetings or affection during the visit, it was not so. Sonia Gandhi also received complaints and brickbats from the people unhappy with inadequate relief. Many people complained about the sluggish response of the Government in providing relief.
Matloob Shah, a 45-year old villager complained that the authorities had not provided proper shelter to the villagers. He said the villagers were afraid of the approaching winter and the lackadaisical approach of the authorities would throw them into a death trap. Sonia Gandhi interacted with the women and children of the village and assured them maximum support in rehabilitation. She lauded the courage of villagers who braved the calamity and are ready to face it during the tough winter season. The villagers, however, were upset when Sonia Gandhi packed up in just 20 minutes to rush to another affected village.
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