Kashmir round table : One way dialogue,Indian Politics, News Analysis, India News Online

The Prime Minister’s second round table on Kashmir held in Srinagar on May 24-25, lost much of its steam when the separatist groups - both the moderates and the hardliners - kept away. The BJP and representatives of Kashmir Pandits also did not take part. But the Government went ahead with the round table despite the clear attempt by terrorists - both before and during the meeting, to disrupt the process through a series of violent attacks.

Despite the thin participation at the round table, the Prime Minister announced a series of steps to meet the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. These includes setting up of five working groups to resolve the issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir. One of the panels is to look into the demand for Self Rule. Dr. Manmohan Singh also hinted at a general amnesty to Kashmir militants stranded in Pakistan occupied Kashmir who want to return home and join the mainstream.

Observers say that the Hurriyat factions which decided to boycott the round table conference on flimsy grounds, obviously did so on directions from Islamabad. The terrorist attacks also appeared to be at the behest of outfits based in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The five working groups will deal with improving the Centre’s relations with the State, furthering relations across the Line of Control (LoC), giving a boost to the State’s economic development, rehabilitating the destitute families of militants and reviewing the cases of detainees and ensuring good governance.

The announcement, made at the end of the two-day round table, was endorsed by the conference and included in a statement. Dr. Manmohan Singh said the groups would submit reports to the Government and they would be discussed at the third round table.

The groups that would deal with the confidence building measures across segments of society in the State, would comprise members from those present at the conference, or those nominated by parties and groups.

The measures that would come under the groups include improving the condition of people affected by militancy, evolving schemes to rehabilitate orphans and widows affected by terrorism, relaxing the conditions for those who have foresworn militancy and providing employment to Kashmiri Pandits.

The steps to improve relations across the LoC include simplifying the procedures to facilitate travel, increasing goods traffic, opening new routes such as Kargil-Skardu, and expanding people-to-people contact, including promotion of pilgrimage and group tourism.

Without mentioning the autonomy demand (by the National Conference) and self-rule (by the PDP), the fifth group would study matters relating to the State’s special status within the Indian Union and methods of strengthening democracy, secularism and the rule of law in the State. It will also discuss effective devolution of power among different regions. The composition of the groups could be decided in consultation with all leaders.

Acknowledging that people were put to inconvenience due to the prevailing situation, Dr. Singh said it must be understood that this scenario was the result of the actions of certain elements. He had instructed the security forces to be “more mindful” of human rights and to be sensitive to the liberties and self-respect of ordinary people.

“At the same time, it is our collective responsibility to create an atmosphere where the people of the State can be free from the fear of oppression and terrorist activities and go about their normal lives like their fellow countrymen.

“If this requires strengthening the State police _ both in numbers and materially _ the Central Government will be willing to support that.”

The Prime Minister cut short his visit and decided to give up his plan of spending an evening watching the waters of Dal Lake from the Raj Bhavan in view of media reports that tight security during his visit was causing inconvenience to tourists.

Stringent security measures, which threw life out of gear in Srinagar for three days, had evoked severe criticism in both print and electronic media, with people questioning the timing of the conference in the peak tourist season.

Reduction in troops if violence comes down

Addressing a news conference at the end of the round able, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ruled out immediate reduction in troops in Jammu and Kashmir as demanded by some political parties. He said, “our troops are here to protect the life and liberty of our citizens. If the basic cause of their presence is removed, we can consider all these options.”

Making it clear that the Indian armed forces are not forces of occupation, Dr. Manmohan Singh said, if terrorism decreases, there would be no reason for us to keep the armed forces in the same number. He said the matter is being constantly looked into by the Government.

Responding to a question on disappearance of thousands of Kashmiri youth during the 16 years of militancy, Dr. Manmohan Singh said, there was no specific discussion on the issue at the round table, but said one of the working groups dealing with confidence building measures can take up the matter.

Brushing aside suggestions that the Government should abandon talks with separatist groups after they boycotted the second round table, the Prime Minister said he had not shut the door on the Hurriyat conference. He said, he is ready to hold another round of talks with the separatists in New Delhi whenever they are ready. He hoped that the Hurriyat Conference would join the series of round table conferences at an appropriate time.

Two dimensions of the Kashmir issue

Opening the round table on Wednesday, May 24, the Prime Minister said that there are two dimensions of the state’s problems.

“One is the relationship between Delhi and Srinagar, and the other between Delhi and Islamabad. These two dimensions are, of course, different but each affects the other.

In the changing environment, the Government was reviewing the cases of all detainees. The review included the cases of “those who crossed over after violating our laws and who are now anxious to come home,’’ he said.

The Government was resolved to build a prosperous future for the State but there were some who had the opposite wish.

“Their inhuman acts have cost many lives, destroyed many families. Who these elements are, we all know well. Such activities will only make our resolve even stronger to ensure that every resident of the State is protected from such terrorist acts and atrocities. We are prepared to take every step towards achieving this objective.”

The Prime Minister, speaking in chaste Urdu, hoped that the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, which had met him, would also “join the series of round table conferences so that they can share their views with all of us. In this connection, I have held discussions with leaders of other organisations also, who had earlier kept away from dialogue.’’

He recalled that his May 3 interaction with the moderate faction of the Hurriyat was positive.

“They are prepared to take this forward and are ready to prepare specific proposals. I hope that at the appropriate time they will also join the series of round table conferences.’’

Zero tolerance for custodial killings : PM

On the first day of his visit to Srinagar, the Prime Minister told the security forces to ensure maximum security in Jammu and Kashmir with minimum disruption of normal life. Presiding over a comprehensive review of the security scenario in the state at a meeting of the Unified Command, Dr. Manmohan Singh said problems can be solved only through dialogue. He advised the security forces, “It is possible and desirable that you should be firm but humane, effective and efficient, in control but unobtrusive. You should always function within the parameters of law. You should have zero tolerance for custodial deaths and be steadfast in your commitment to upholding human rights,” he said.

Briefing reporters, the Prime Minister’s Media Adviser, Sanjaya Baru, said a detailed presentation was made at the meeting attended by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan and the heads of various Central paramilitary organisations and senior Army officials.

Lauding the efforts of the security forces, Dr. Singh paid tributes to their gallantry in meeting the challenge posed by terrorism. Condemning all acts of terrorism as “cowardly,” the Prime Minister said that violence had not been able to solve any problem anywhere in the world.

PM turns down Hurriyat’s plea for separate meeting

The Prime Minister turned down the Hurriyat plea for a separate meeting on the sidelines of the round table conference. The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq wanted an exclusive meeting, but did not want to take part in the round table. National Conference President Omar Farooq had threatened to stay away from the round table if Dr. Manmohan Singh gave into Hurriyat’s pressure tactics.

After the Hurriyat Conference failed to find its way, the National Conference at an extraordinary meeting of its working committee in Srinagar on Tuesday, May 23, declared that it is putting its weight behind the Prime Minister’s efforts to ensure the success of the round table.

The Hurriyat on its part said that the round table was an exercise in futility. Questioning the participation of what it called pro-India parties in the peace process, the Hurriyat said these parties were responsible for the bloodshed in the state for the past several years. Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that the organisation is in favour of tripartite dialogue to solve the Kashmir issue.

Speaking at the Jama Masjid on Friday, May 26, the Mirwaiz said the Centre should invite the leaders of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to take part in the next round table conference. He described the second round table in Srinagar as a a seminar.

The People’s Democratic Party has welcomed the Prime Minister’s initiatives on Jammu and Kashmir announced at the second round table conference. Talking to media persons in Srinagar, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said on Friday, May 26, Dr. Manmohan Singh had walked the extra mile by identifying the areas which needed to be addressed. She suggested that the State Governor be elected and could be from any region of the state.

“We have to start treating Jammu and Kashmir beyond Centre-State relations,” she said, adding that the legislature in the State had been undermined in the past. She referred to the autonomy resolution passed by the Assembly in 2000 and summarily rejected by the Government of India. “The confidence can be restored by respecting the legislature.” She stressed the need to address the inter-regional issues and said: “We all have to put our heads together to strengthen the State as a single unit.”

Reiterating her party’s demand for self-rule and demilitarisation, she said: “We are not saying something out of the blue. Those who opposed us on this had no argument except that we speak Musharraf’s language. We have proposed self-rule for all the parts of Kashmir whether here or across and this will boost regional confidence.”

Meanwhile, terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen has said that the Government of India should seriously think about involving militants in the talks if it wants the peace process to succeed.

The outfit’s spokesman Jumaid-ul-Islam, in a statement to local news agency, CNS, said the involvement of militants alone could help the process become result-oriented, adding : “All other exercises are irrelevant and bound to fail.”

The Hizb spokesperson, who reiterated Hizb supreme commander Syed Sallahuddin’s call that dialogue with guns was possible, said that the shutdown in the valley and the successful militant action during all these days proved that the people were not fed up.

The militants’ actions have shown that they are strong and organised,” the spokesperson added.

This is the second time the Hizbul Mujahideen has expressed willingness to come tot he talks table. The last time it made such a request, the Prime Minister turned it down saying the talks could only be held if the outfit was willing to give up violence.

Terrorist attacks

The suicide attack at a Youth Congress rally in Srinagar on Sunday, May 21, in which six people lost their lives, was followed by several terrorist attacks by Pakistan-based groups during and after the round table. Minutes after the Prime Minister left Srinagar for New Delhi at the end of his visit, militants busted a grenade at a tourist bus on the outskirts of Srinagar on Thursday, May 25, killing four persons and injuring seven others. This was the first serious attack on tourists this year and resulted in hundreds of tourists canceling their bookings in the Kashmir valley.

Despite tight security in the valley, militants carried out six grenade attacks injuring at least 38 people including 14 security men. A curfew-like situation prevailed in Srinagar during the two-days of the round table.

Sex racket : High Court questions delay in probe

Meanwhile, the CBI has paraded some of the 56 accused named in the high profile sex scandal case before the 16 year old victim. She is reported to have identified some of them.

A division bench of the High Court has expressed concern at the slow pace of investigation of the scandal. The bench comprising Justices Bashir Ahmed Kirmani and Hakim Imtiaz Hussain has directed the state police to provide three to four teams to the CBI for bringing the accused named by the victim for identification parades. The court said it is ironic that the high profile people named by the victim could not be arrested even now.

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