Kashmir Press Roundup II: February 2006
Dialogue With Separatists
A week before the first roundtable conference, Prime Minister Singh had
met with Yasin Malik, chairman of JKLF. Srinagar Times reported on 18
February that Malik was accompanied with Ghulam Rasool Dar, General
Secretary of JKLF. Both had a one and a half hour meeting with Dr.
Singh during which Malik told the PM that the real leadership of
Kashmir and militant leaders should be invited for holding talks on one
table. Malik also showed signatures of 15 lakh people to the PM, which
were obtained by him during a three-year signature campaign. The PM
termed the talks with Malik as 'positive' and assured him that the
Centre was having an open mind for finding a durable solution of the
Kashmir issue. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Malik said that
the PM should hold talks with Kashmiri leadership in some neighbouring
country as was being done at present with Naga groups. Another Kashmiri
media source, Roshni, reported that during a meeting at the Delhi
University before meeting the PM, Malik told the audience that the JKLF
had lost over 650 activists since it announced a unilateral ceasefire
in 1994. However, the JKLF did not abandon its peace mission despite
these losses as it desired a Kashmir where people enjoyed all sorts of
freedoms. The differences amongst separatists groups with regard to
participation in the roundtable was reflected in press reports by Aftab
and Wadi Ki Awaz which indicated that while the Hurriyat Conference (A)
was waiting for a formal invitation, some of its constituents were not
in favour of participating in the roundtable. The Geelani faction of
the APHC and the JKDFP of Shabir Shah had already refused to
participate in the conference terming it a futile exercise.
Editorial Roundup
In its editorial, Kashmir news source,
Roshni, analysed the speech of President APJ Abdul Kalam to the joint
session of the parliament. The editorial observed that in his speech
Kalam congratulated the Central and State governments for the improved
law and order situation in Kashmir. He also welcomed the Centre's steps
to broaden the dialogue with all the political parties. However, he
warned that anti-national activities and terrorist violence would be
curbed with determination. Though he observed that relations with
Pakistan had improved, cross border infiltration and terrorist violence
had yet to end. Kalam hoped that Pakistan would play its part in ending
militancy in Kashmir. Kalam observed that the Central government had
taken a number of steps to restore normalcy in Kashmir. These included
visits by Special Secretary A K Mitra and COAS, General J.J. Singh to
Kashmir to assess the ground situation. Kalam also praised J&K
chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad saying that he taken several steps to
restore peace in the state. Kalam urged special forces in Kashmir to
ensure that no innocent civilians was harassed and custodial killings
were prevented in the fight against terrorism. The editorial observed
that new checking points had been erected recently at places such
Broadway Cinema and Badami Bagh Cantt which were adding to people's
difficulties. The editorial urged the chief minister and the army to
undertake steps for removing unnecessary checking points.
An editorial in Nida-i-Mashriq focused on the issue of bilateral trade between India and Pakistan saying that trade would play second fiddle unless the Kashmir issue was resolved. The editorial questioned Pakistan's intentions in the composite dialogue process. Islamabad is of the view that trade between the two countries had increased manifold and that traders and people of Pakistan were for better ties with India. However, the editorial observed that the people of Pakistan had failed to understand the official position of Pakistan. The statement was directed to exploit the sentiments of a set of people in the establishment who did not like improvement in relations with India. While enmity with India had impeded Pakistan's economic progress over the years, India had meanwhile progressed in leaps and bounds. The editorial observed that in both Kashmir and Pakistan, there were sections of people who were against trade relations as it would put the Kashmir issue on the backburner. However, the editorial observed that it is a known fact that improved relations had facilitated a peaceful atmosphere for the composite dialogue on Kashmir and had led to a significant change in the mindset of the people. The editorial urged Pakistan to come out of the shell and try to further improve relations with India on all fronts.
Tameel-e-Irshad's editorial on 15 February observed that the mushrooming of separatist parties in Kashmir had allowed India and Pakistan to play a double game by inviting each outfit separately for talks. The editorial observed that this process is only meant to fool people and it would not serve any purpose as the separatist outfits will always remain a divided house. The Central government could not be blamed for inviting the separatist leaders as every leader had claimed to be the real representative of the Kashmiris. The editorial observed that unless separatist leaders talk unitedly to the Indian and Pakistani governments, nothing worthwhile would be achieved. If the separatist leaders are able to forge unity in the future, then it would be easy for India and Pakistan to understand their position. Even the leaders who are opposed to the talks or have branded it as a futile exercise would not be able to resist joining the united separatist bandwagon in the future.
Alsafa's editorial expressed shock and anguish of all parties in the
Valley over the systematic harassment and intimidation of Muslims by
Buddhists in Leh town of Ladakh region. The editorial said that it was
same case in Kargil, a Muslim dominated town, where property and shops
of minority community were looted. The editorial criticised the
administration of failing to curb the anti-social elements who were
behind the violence in these towns. It demanded that those responsible
for the communal tension and hatred should be exposed and given severe
punishment while the minorities should be given protection.
Srinagar
Times observed in its editorial that two news items regarding meeting
of Hurriyat leader Farooq with the Hindus in Jammu and that Geelani was
the leader of Kashmiris had attracted the attention of the people. The
editorial observed that while the Geelani's faction was of the view
that talking to insignificant leaders will not lead to any solution,
the fate of such talks would be similar to that of the 1975 accord
between Sheikh Abdullah and Indira Gandhi. The editorial observed that
similar to Abdullah who had fought for the interests of the Kashmiri
people, Geelani, who had fought assembly elections under the J&K
Constitution and was once ready to support the Congress Legislature
Party, was fighting for the interests of the Kashmiri people. Geelani
has termed Farooq and other separatist leaders as having no base among
the people. However, it was Geelani who had supported the Mirwaiz as
the first chairman of the APHC in 1996. The editorial observed that
Geelani earlier was considered an influential leader who also had
observer status in the OIC, which is at present enjoyed by Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq. The editorial observed that while separatist leaders who were
earlier allied with Geelani were now with Farooq, the latter has also
got the observer status accorded by the OIC. In such a situation, the
editorial questioned the validity of Geelani's observations about the
Mirwaiz not having support base among the Kashmiris.
Interview of Omar Abdullah
President of the National
Conference, Omar Abdullah, was interviewed by the weekly Chattan. In
the interview Abdullah favoured autonomy for the state and said that it
was a better option than self governance. He also said that that Syed
Ali Shah Geelani was the only separatist leader who was pursuing his
ideology while other Hurriyat leaders and separatists had lost their
objectives. Abdullah termed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and PDP president
Mehbooba Mufti of not knowing the real meaning of self governance. He
also said that his party would support Ghulam Nabi Azad on positive
issues only. He said that the National Conference would contest the
forthcoming assembly by-elections in March 2006 and will not forgo its
position in favour of the Congress party. Abdullah criticised the PDP
as an 'issue-less' party and accused former chief minister Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed of promoting divide and rule policy and anti National
Conference sentiments. He also said that he would be visiting Pakistan
to participate in the Pugwash Conference and would meet General
Musharraf during his visit. Abdullah said that he would hand over a
copy of the 'autonomy' resolution passed by the J&K Assembly during
National Conference rule and try to convince the General that the
autonomy option was much better than the self governance option.
News Snippets
- Srinagar Times reported on 15 February that chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said at a meeting in Verinag, district Anantnag, that everybody, including mainstream political parties, Hurriyat Conference, separatist leaders and those opposed to the elections would be involved in talks for finding out an amicable solution of the Kashmir problem.
- Srinagar Times reported on 15 February that a meeting of Awami Action Committee, Jammu province was held at RS Pura under the presidentship of Devinder Singh. The meeting thanked the people for extending cooperation during the Jammu visit of Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
- Alsafa reported that Ghulam Nabi Azad had been reportedly advised by Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh to postpone the expansion of the state cabinet for the time. The expansion would take place after consultations with coalition partner PDP.
- Aftab reported that the budget session of the Parliament, scheduled to begin on 16 February, would witness detailed discussions on Kashmir, including the proposals by General Musharraf regarding self governance and demilitarisation in Kashmir.
- Alsafa reported that the Army organised a grand reception at Leh airport to welcome Haj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia. Lt. Gen. JK Mohanty, GoC, 14 Corps had initiated this unique gesture for the first time in the history of Ladakh region in order to strengthen the bond between the 'jawan' and the 'Awam'.
- Wadi Ki Awaz reported that Christian missionaries belonging to Bible Society of India have been taken into custody at Madian village of Uri tehsil for proselytisation activities. The missionaries were arrested for distributing audio cassettes and copies of the New Testament in Urdu to 230 families of the village under the garb of relief work for the earthquake-affected people.