Srinagar, April 24
Three days after the arrival of Mr N.N. Vohra, the Hurriyat Conference here today announced not to meet the Centre’s chief negotiator. It has laid down three “fundamental things” — dialogue without preconditions, dialogue at the highest level, and only with those representing disputed nature of the problem, for its participation.

After the three-hour-long executive committee meeting top leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat, former chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, made the announcement at Rajbagh Party headquarters this afternoon.

“The APHC has decided not to meet Mr N.N. Vohra, as the talks were initiated only with those who have no dispute with the Government of India”, Mohammad Yasin Malik told reporters. He added that the Hurriyat Conference, representing the aspirations of the people, was the only party with which negotiations needed to be initiated “to find a permanent settlement of Kashmir dispute”. He regretted that the central government was using a “different yardstick with Kashmiri leadership” compared to that of Naga leaders even as Mr Vajpayee had described Hurriyat leadership having a “higher level” during the latter’s recent press conference here. “There is no similarity between Nagaland and Kashmir as far as political dispute is concerned”, Malik pointed out. He added that there were “inherent dangers” in Kashmir problem and the international community had described it as a “flash point”.

Mr Malik held that the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister was speaking a different language after he took over. He said while in the Congress party, the Mufti had given an assurance to its president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi that he would facilitate an unconditional dialogue between separatists and the Government of India, in case it came to power in Jammu and Kashmir. When it was not accepted by Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the Mufti left the Congress, and that was being preached by him during the last three years. Mr Malik added that after coming to power the Mufti did not recall his words and spoke a different language.

Commenting on the APHC’s decision, the former Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said “we don’t believe that Mr Vohra is clear about his agenda in Kashmir. They are trying to talk to only those who speak their (Government of India’s) language.” He added “there are not only the elected representatives as the government claims, but other people also”. The Mirwaiz (chief priest) pointed out that when the APHC talks about the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir it has to talk about the concerns of both the countries, India and Pakistan.

The Mirwaiz said that the APHC continued to play positive role in bringing peace to Kashmir. “Taking this stand, it is important that all three parties, India, Pakistan and Kashmiris “need to have flexible approach” to solve the vexed issue. He said since the Government of India was not ready for tripartite talks, it was necessary to have “triangular approach” where by every party talks to each other. He said that the beginning had been made with the Prime Minister extending a hand of friendship to Pakistan. He added that the Government of India had “accepted that the need to have talks with Pakistan, while at the same time, it had started an internal dialogue with the appointment of Mr N.N. Vohra.”

In his opening remarks, APHC chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat said that the meeting considered “issues facing us (Kashmiris), Pakistan, India and South Asia which concern our future but, we chose not to talk about the significant developments taking shape around”. He pointed out that Mr Vohra’s nomination was followed by the visit of two member committee of the APHC comprising Maulvi Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik to New Delhi. He said the visit was timed to interact with political leadership, intellectuals and ambassadors of different countries of finding out a “permanent political settlement of the Kashmir Dispute”.

The Hurriyat Conference accused the Vajpayee Government of adopting “double standard” on the format of dialogue.

Mr N.N. Vohra had busy schedule holding discussions with several political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and other groups and individuals on fourth day of his week-long Kashmir visit here today.

A 10-member delegation of the BJP led by Sofi Yusuf expressed confidence in the dialogue process for resolution of problems. The members demanded return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley as Kashmiriyat was the legacy and belief of all Kashmiris regardless of their religious faiths. They sought security for nationalist elements under threats from the militants. They urged the healing touch of the State government should be directed towards those who deserved consideration rather than for militants or those who support militancy. The delegation also sought security on the same basis as was applied to activists of other political parties.

Mr Vohra also held discussions with Mir Khurshid who led an 11-member delegation of the J&K Muttahida Mahaz (United Front). The delegation demanded cessation of cross Border infiltration and dismantling of militant infrastructure in Pakistan, safe passage to be provided by government of India to foreign tourists to return to Pakistan, an end to human rights violations by security forces, general amnesty for misguided Kashmiri youth, conversion of LoC Into International Border (IB). The delegation held such measures would lead to restoration of peace in the State.

The Kashmir Resolution Movement delegation led by its Convener, Abdul Khaliq Hanief in its meeting with Mr Vohra recounted the circumstances surrounding the formation of “Third Front” prior to the last Assembly elections in which 20 candidates were fielded. Reposing confidence in the dialogue process, the members demanded the Disturbed Areas Act, the Public Safety Act and POTA to go, release of political prisoners, shifting of Kashmiri detainees from jails outside Jammu and Kashmir to those within the State, curbing the excesses being committed by the security, and prevention of excesses committed to the Kashmiri students studying outside the State.

Mr Vohra also held discussions with delegation of the Border Front led by general secretary, Mohammad Yusuf Beigh, who averred that Kashmir issue could be solved only through a process of dialogue. Mr Vohra also held discussions with representatives of several NGOs, trade unions and distinguished citizens. Prominent among those who met Mr Vohra today included former Chief Secretary, Mir Nasrullah.