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Kashmir : Mixed reaction to Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service |
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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has said that the softening of the Line of Control, LoC would change the whole atmosphere in South Asia and usher in permanent peace and economic progress. He was reacting to the moves afoot to start the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service from April 2005. The Mufti said, ‘ The softening of the LoC is a giant step towards the normalization of relations between India and Pakistan. The free movement between the two parts of the state will lead to the demolition of myths and propaganda about this part of the state. He said, it will counter Pakistani propaganda that people in the state are not safe in the country. Also, people across the border will realize the strength of Indian democratic institutions. He said, ‘ We have strong democratic functioning in every part of the country and therefore transparency would help the neighbouring country to understand the vitality of our democratic institutions including Jammu and Kashmir, which has immense diversity.’ The Chief Minister said that the frequency of the bus service may be increased once the bus gets into operation.
Initially, the bus will take 30 passengers from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad and vice-versa every fortnight. He said precautions have been taken to ensure that no anti-national sneaks into the country.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, sitting in Jammu, has passed a resolution welcoming the launch of the bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. Speaking on the resolution, Chief Minister Sayeed said, there is complete consensus on the matter within the state and at the national level. He gave full credit to the people for the process of reconciliation in the sub-continent. The Mufti stressed the need to take the process forward with the same determination from both sides, adding that the state was playing an important role in dismantling, what he called, ‘ walls of hatred’. Lal Mohammed Sabar of the Congress described the launch of the bus service as a bold step by the Centre. Panthers’ Party chief Bhim Singh suggested that a delegation of state legislators should visit Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
While prominent leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the launch of the bus service, separatist leaders have described it as a diversionary tactic. The Chairman of the Tehreek-i-Hurriyat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani said, the bus service does not fulfill the real aspirations of the people who want a political solution to the Kashmir issue. But the former chairman of the undivided Hurriyat Conference and Shia cleric, Maulvi Abbas Ansari welcomed the bus service and asked for permission to go across the LoC to start the political process between the leaders of both sides.
Divergent views of Governor and Chief Minister on peace talks
State Governor S.K. Sinha and Chief Minister Sayeed have been expressing divergent views on peace talks to solve the Kashmir issue. In a seminar on India and Pakistan Pathways Ahead, Governor Sinha reaffirmed India’s stand of holding bilateral talks on Kashmir. However, the Chief Minister, addressing the Legislative Council the same day (Friday, March 18) favoured tripartite talks on Kashmir to find a solution. Interestingly, the Governor in his Address had categorically ruled out the possibility of tripartite talks.
Observers say the Mufti has been talking of a tripartite dialogue now that his three-year term as Chief Minister is coming to an end and he would have to give way to a Congress Chief Minister for the next three years. Analysts believe that the divergent views and lack of cohesiveness will further jeopardise the ongoing peace process.
In a related development, the Chief Minister has said that the situation in the State has significantly improved and violence and killing of civilians and infiltration has come down by 60 per cent. Speaking in the State legislature, he said the improved situation paved the way for setting free 230 detainees last year. The relations between the civilian population and the Army have also become more cordial.
The State Government announced that Panchayat elections in the state will be held from next month, almost one and a half years ahead of schedule. The Rural Development Minister Pirzada M. Sayeed justified the elections saying that polls have become a must in view of the 33 per cent reservation for women in Panchayats.
Separatist leader Yasin Malik has travelled to Delhi carrying signatures of fifteen lakh people calling for peace and their inclusion in the India-Pakistan dialogue. The signatures are from all over Kashmir asking for the participation of Kashmiris in talks whenever the future of the State is discussed. Yasin Malik who is Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) said that it was an attempt to promote a non-violent movement in Kashmir.
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