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Kashmir : Hurriyat comes out with its version of self-governance |
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After the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), it is the turn of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference to come out with its version of self-governance. Speaking to journalists after a two-day meeting of Hurriyat executive committee, its former chairperson, Abdul Gani Butt said his colleagues are willing to meet the Indian leadership provided they are willing to do so. The Centre had broken off formal talks with the Hurriyat after it boycotted the round table conference presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in May this year. Reports say that in view of the latest Hurriyat stance, the Centre may issue an invitation to the moderate faction to resume negotiations.
Butt said the Hurriyat seeks a debate over self-governance at the people’s level. This is to develop a broader consensus in this part of Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied part of Kashmir. But he rejected the self-rule idea put forth by other political formations on the ground that it would marginalise secessionist voices.
Butt’s news conference on Nov. 30 came just hours after the Pakistan-based United Jehad Council withdrew a ceasefire offered by Mohd. Yusuf Shah, the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen.
The Hurriyat has not spelt out its view of self-governance, but observers say that the idea may have figured in a series of secret meetings the organisation’s leaders held with the Union Government’s official interlocutor on Kashmir N.N. Vora, former Research and Analysis Wing Chief, A.S. Dulat and Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz last month.
Butt said that the Hurriyat’s concept of self-governance fell outside the ambit of both Indian and Pakistani constitutions.
Speaking in Srinagar on Nov. 30, Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sought a debate on self-governance and self-rule to develop a broader formula on both sides of the Line of Control.
United Jehad Council backs down on ceasefire
Observers say that pressure from other Islamist groups has forced the Hizbul Mujahideen to withdraw from its offer of ceasefire and a winter truce in Jammu and Kashmir. A spokesperson of the United Jehad Council told Srinagar-based media persons that the Hizbul chief has not offered the ceasefire. The Pakistan-based UJC is a 13-member coalition in which the Hizbul is the largest partner.
Syed Sallahuddin, earlier in the week, had laid down three conditions for the ceasefire - release of prisoners, scaling down of troops to pre-1989 level and an end to human rights violations.
No need for plebiscite : EU
A draft EU parliament report on Kashmir says a plebiscite in the state is unnecessary and irrelevant. The report raps Pakistan for its undemocratic rule over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It says Pakistan has consistently failed to fulfil its obligations to introduce meaningful and representative democratic structures in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Hizb commander killed
Mohd. Ashram Shah, commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen’s south Kashmir division was shot down in an encounter with the security forces on Tuesday, Nov. 28. He was reported to have been a key player in the proposal to put a ceasefire in place. Major Manish Pitambre of the 3rd Para regiment was killed in the raid on Shah’s safe house located in Bijbehera, south of Srinagar.
The security forces received another success when a foreign militant of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, who master-minded the 2005 Delhi blasts was killed in an encounter in North Kashmir on December 1. Ali Khan was a Pakistani national.
Separatists come to blows
Hundreds of supporters of Kashmir independence clashed on Sunday, Nov. 26 with pro-Pakistan rivals on a street in Srinagar. This is reported to be one of the biggest ever public showdowns between supporters of the two ideologies. Sixteen people were injured in the clash.
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