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Kashmir : Troops to be moved out of orchards

	April 23, 2007

The Central Government and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have begun an exercise on the ground to move out troops from orchards and government buildings they currently occupy. State Financial Commissioner (Home) B.R. Kundal said in Jammu on April 19 that the state government has received a letter from the Defence Ministry that instructions are being issued soon to move out security forces from the orchards in the state. The letter is in response to the initiative taken by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who had taken up the matter with Defence Ministry A.K. Antony.



According to state government figures, security forces are located in over 11,609 kanals and 11 marla of orchards since 1990. They pay annual rent to farmers for another 4000 kanals and 16 marlas.



Moving out troops from orchards and public properties and their subsequent relocation was one of the main demands of the PDP which last month threatened to pull out of the ruling J & K coalition.



After meetings last month between PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the talks Azad had in New Delhi, the Centre announced formation of an expert committee to look into the issue of relocation of troops.



Meanwhile, the state police authorities have instructed all SSPs to identify suitable alternate places in their districts for the security forces.



The PDP has welcomed the Centre’s decision to start the process of moving out troops from orchards, civilian and institutional properties. Addressing a public meeting in Jammu, party chief Mehbooba Mufti said it is a laudable confidence-building measure in the run up to the third round-table conference to be held in New Delhi on April 24.



In the meantime, State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on April 18 to discuss the issues expected to figure at the third RTC. Officials in New Delhi said the crucial issue of Centre-State relations may not be on the agenda of tomorrow’s RTC. This is because the working group on Centre-State relations headed by Justice (Retd.) Sagir Ahmed has not yet finalised its report. The round-table would deliberate on the recommendations of the other core groups on economic development, confidence building measures, good governance and relations across the line of control.





Hurriyat not to attend the RTC



The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front have said in the meantime that they would not attend the third round-table called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had appealed to them to take part in the RTC, but Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yaseen Malik turned down the request.



“We are not afraid of sharing the table with unionists. No, that is not the case,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told a gathering in Sumbal - once part of counter-insurgent Kuka Parry’s territory. “It is the agenda that matters. If it is the round-table for resolution of the Kashmir issue and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s proposal is on the table, we will definitely like to be there.”



Asserting that he will not like to be part of a meeting that discusses Centre-State relations, orphans financial assistance and development. “They are creating the orphans. It would be better if they stop the guns ; there will be not many orphans,” he said adding that they can be part of a round-table where India and Pakistan discuss the Kashmir issue.



In Srinagar, Yasin Malik said there seems to be deliberate attempt on both sides (India and Pakistan) to keep the Kashmiris away as both of them are talking about their own interests.



“Peace process has not created any optimism at ground zero where it should have mattered,” he said. Instead, he added, “A collective opinion is emerging here that the two countries seem to be heading towards dissolving Kashmir issue rather than reducing it, and if it is the case, I tell heads of both the countries that there will be no guarantee for peace in South Asia.”



PDP patron Mufti Mohd. Sayeed said in Srinagar on April 19 that the RTC offers the best platform for initiating practical steps for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He expressed the hope that the RTC will prove result-oriented. The Mufti urged the Congress-led UPA Government to take the lead in resolving the Kashmir issue.



Speaking in Srinagar on April 16, the Mufti said the peace process initiated four years ago is now heading for a logical conclusion of lasting and dignified peace for the people of Kashmir and the region.





Militants surrender



There were tears, joys and laughter near the Line of Control in Uri on Friday, April 20, when 24 militants, who surrendered to the Army, met their families, some after decades.



Abdul Salam Lone, who left his house 17 years ago to seek arms training in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, never imagined that he would return to his native place as an old man.



“This time I realise what I did in the past was wrong. I crossed over to PoK in 1990. I was trained to handle different types of arms and explosives for three months in the camp,” said Lone, sitting along with his two young nieces, Kulsoom and Shanu, who had traveled all the way from Nathupora village to see their uncle for the first time.



Expressing his disappointment over the attitude of leaders in Pakistan, Lone said all the Kashmiri boys in the training camps were fed up with the violence and wanted to come back.



Recounting his tragic tale, Fayaz Ahmed Lone, another militant who had surrendered, said he was kidnapped from his village 16 years ago and received training in arms and ammunition for three months But the camp leaders were rude to the Kashmiri boys.