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Kashmir : Pressure for involving separatists in talks

	April 09, 2007

The National Conference as well as some other political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have demanded inclusion of militant outfits in the dialogue process.



National Conference president Omar Abdullah, speaking in Srinagar on April 7, asked the Centre to seize the opportunity of changing mindset of militant outfits and announce an internal ceasefire in Kashmir to further the peace process. Omar Abdullah who

had earlier called for involving Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Sallahudin in the dialogue process, said that the outfit’s positive response was a welcome change.



“I never expected this response from the Hizb and thought they would ignore my statement. It shows that there is a change in the mindset of the militants as well and they want to join the process initiated for finding an amicable solution to the Kashmir problem,” he said.



“I think New Delhi should take steps to seize this opportunity and open channels to make him (Salahuddin) part of the process. It should also initiate an internal ceasefire to make the atmosphere conducive.”



Pleading for Hizb’s inclusion in the talks, Omar Abdullah said he firmly believed that unless the Hizb is involved, no durable and amicable solution to the problem can be found. “The Hizb has the largest number of Kashmiri boys in its ranks.”



Demilitarisation was not possible until this step was taken.



While hoping for a positive response from the Centre, Abdullah said there were pulls and pressure working to prevent the Government from taking such a step. “When we can talk with the Hurriyat, why not with the Hizb. After all they also belong to this place.”



Leaders of some political parties have urged the Prime Minister to invite the separatists, who have boycotted the dialogue process, for talks. They have asked the Prime Minister to convene the third round table conference.



Hakeem Yaseen, Minister for Transport and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), and Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, MLA and CPI(M) leader, issued separate statements last week asking the Prime Minister to accept the demand. The PDP

also raised this demand a few days ago.



Yaseen urged the leaders of India and Pakistan to collectively address all issues in a conducive and cordial atmosphere.



In a letter to the PM, Tarigami emphasised that all issues should be debated on a broader compass to render the outcome more credible.



Four of the five working groups set up after the second round table conference in Srinagar are expected to submit their reports shortly. However, the fifth dealing with the crucial issue of Centre-state relations is not able to complete discussions in time. He suggested that the Prime Minister, instead of waiting for the recommendations of the fifth

working group, should convene the third round table conference to consider the recommendations of the four groups.



Hurriyat for interim ten-year plan



The Hurriyat chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the outfit is ready to accept an interim ten-year plan for Kashmir as a prelude to a permanent solution. Launching the Hurriyat’s first ever mass contact programme at Ganderbal, near Srinagar, on April 7, he said, “We know Kahsmir is a complex problem and a resolution cannot be expected ovrnight. Hurriyat is ready for an interim arrangement for five to 10 years in pursuit of a

permanent settlement.” However, he said, a phased demilitarisation could be the first step.



Grappling with the reality of mainstream political parties redefining the separatist agenda in the valley, the Mirwaiz sought to highlight subtle distinctions between the PDP’s version of demilitarisation and the Hurriyat’s own templates of Kashmir resolution. “These people are interested in the semantics of separatist slogans rather than the

spirit. They are using them as a tool to acquire power,” Mirwaiz said. He explained that the Hurriyat wanted withdrawal of forces as part of the overall settlement package for Kashmir and not as an isolated measure.



Observers say choosing Ganderbal as the place for his inaugural address was a decision of deep political import. Starting with being the favourite constituency of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Ganderbal has determined political fortunes in Kashmir over the past 60 years.