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Kashmir : Musharraf for maximum self-governance

	May 23, 2005

In a significant statement, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has mooted the idea of maximum self-governance for the Kashmiris to settle the long-pending dispute between India and Pakistan. Speaking at the valedictory function of the South Asia Free Media Association Conference on the creation of a South Asian Parliament in Islamabad, Gen. Musharraf referred to his recent visit to New Delhi and said that he is optimistic and convinced that there can be a solution which would be acceptable to India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir. He said that because of India’s sensitivities of its secular credentials, a solution to the Kashmir issue cannot be on religious basis. Instead it could be on people’s basis, a regional basis.

Gen. Musharraf said that he would like to see the Kashmir problem resolved in two to four years, that is, during his tenure and that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in India. He said the proposed solution could comprise identifying a region in Jammu and Kashmir, demilitarising it and providing its people maximum self-governance, making borders irrelevant.

The conference was attended by over 100 Members of Parliament from four SAARC countries. After General Musharraf finished speaking, Indian MPs shook hands with him, some insisting on being photographed with him. It took Musharraf 15 minutes to get out of the room where the function was held.



Reactions

Chief Minister Mufti Mohd. Sayeed has welcomed Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s latest statement on Kashmir, saying that the idea of granting greater autonomy to the region was a step in the right direction. But the Mufti made it clear that the cessation of violence and restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir was a pre-requsite for taking the peace process forward. “Violence has to come to an end,” he said.

Other Kashmiri leaders reacted differently. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who heads a hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, said granting autonomy would only be an eyewash and tantamount to putting the core issue of Kashmir under the carpet. “The issue must be referred to the people as they alone can determine their fate,” he said. His rivals in the amalgam’s moderate faction said they would want to discuss the proposal threadbare among themselves before responding.



Baglihar dam issue - India may consider technical changes

There are reports that India may consider some technical changes in the design of the Rs. 4000 crore Baglihar Hydro Power Project in Jammu and Kashmir if it is possible without compromising power generation and the safety of the dam. Informed sources in New Delhi said that this had been conveyed to Pakistan before Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s visit to India last month. Pakistan is reported to be insisting on India agreeing to all its demands which were short-listed for discussion during the Secretary-level bilateral talks in New Delhi in January.

The World Bank recently appointed Raymond Lafitte, a Swiss civil engineer, as the neutral expert at Pakistan’s request. Under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, the World Bank has to satisfy itself that the procedure had been followed by the party which approaches it for appointment of a neutral expert, to resolve differences or a dispute.



Infiltration shows sudden spurt

Despite noises being made from Pakistan about willingness to take new initiative to solve the Kashmir issue, reports from the state speak of a sudden spurt in infiltration from across the line of control. According to figures available with the Union Home Ministry, there were as many as 44 infiltration attempts in the month of April, up from 31 for the whole of the first three months of this year. The sharp rise in infiltration is being attributed not only to the melting of snow and shifting of the state capital to Srinagar, but also to desperation among the anti-India anti-Pakistan fundamentalist elements. There has also been an increase in terrorist incidents in the state. Four Army personnel including a Major, lost their lives in an encounter with terrorists in Rajouri district last week.

There are reports that the fencing along the line of control was damaged during the recent heavy snowfall and avalanches in the state. The Army has started the repair and reconstruction work on the fencing, but it will take almost a month to assess the complete damage. Rough estimates suggest that 15 to 20 per cent of the LoC fencing was damaged in the snowfall.

Simultaneously, there has been an increase in terrorist attacks on civilians. Militants massacred four civilians after kidnapping them from a remote village in Srinagar district. The terrorists did not spare even a mourning ceremony and killed two persons by throwing grenades. Observers say that the recent terrorist attacks indicate that the extremist groups have not lost their sting.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in its annual report, has said that though there has been some decline in the level of infiltration, Pakistan has not taken any significant action so far to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in that country.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohd. Sayeed has said in the meantime that the peace process must go on. Inaugurating the regional passport office in Srinagar, the Mufti said the Central Government was clear on the resolution of the issue with the involvement of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He accused the separatist leadership of adopting double standards. The Chief Minister asked the separatist leaders to show moral courage by raising their voice against atrocities being committed by terrorists against innocent people.



NC leader arrested for helping militants to escape

Senior National Conference leader Gul Rafeeqi has been arrested for allegedly escorting a top militant commander in his official car to Amritsar, resulting in his escape to Pakistan.

Rafeeqi along with two other persons was arrested by the police from his house in Ananatnag and has been taken to Joint Interrogation Centre there for questioning. “Yes, we have arrested him (Rafeeqi)”, confirmed Javid Makhdoomi, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range. According to the Police, Hizb’s divisional commander for South Kashmir, Mohammed Amin Baba, escaped to Pakistan after crossing the Wagah border on a fake passport.