J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Talks offer lacks sincerity : APHC
SRINAGAR, May 27 — Seeking “result-oriented tripartite” talks to solve the Kashmir issue, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the APHC here today claimed that central government’s readiness for dialogue lacked “sincerity and seriousness”. He also opposed India getting a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

New PCC chief warns dissidents
JAMMU, May 27 — The new PCC chief, Mr Mohd Shafi Qureshi, came down heavily on the dissidents in the party while speaking at a function held in the party office to pay homage to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru here today.

Farooq longs for peace of old days
SRINAGAR, May 27 — Pained at the scars of militancy over Kashmir’s rich ethos Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah yearns for peace and wishes Pandits and Muslims living together like in the past to enliven the beautiful valley.

Talks offer lacks sincerity : APHC
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, May 27 — Seeking “result-oriented tripartite” talks to solve the Kashmir issue, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the APHC here today claimed that central government’s readiness for dialogue lacked “sincerity and seriousness”. He also opposed India getting a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

“We are not against dialogue but do not favour any dialogue for the sake of dialogue”, Syed Ali Shah Geelani said at a press conference at the Hurriyat’s head office at Rajbagh here today. “Any talks should be result-oriented which is not possible without participation of all three parties”, Geelani commented. He added that tripartite talks between all three concerned parties — India, Pakistan and the representatives of Kashmir in the historical background to the dispute would only solve the issue for ever, he said.

Mr Geelani expressed concern over the “increase in the human rights violations and excesses” at the hands of the security forces since the central government expressed its readiness to have a dialogue with the Kashmiris. He added that on the one hand the government unleashed a reign of terror in the valley and Doda and Rajouri districts of Jammu region, where “freedom struggle” was going on, on the other hand the talks issue was raised. The talks issue is only misleading and there is no sincerity, “Geelani said adding that the APHC stood for the right of self-determination” and tripartite talks.

Referring to various instances of “excesses”, the APHC chairman sought the visit of the Amnesty International and other international agencies to inquire into these incidents of killings and excesses, which he described as “inhuman, undemocratic and barbaric acts”. He held that the APHC had lost faith in the inquiry commissions set up by the government into the incidents of excesses and innocent killings.

Mr Geelani expressed concern over the role of security forces in Doda district, where he alleged that Muslims were being “forced to change their religion”. He cited the case of Roshan Deen, a 44-year-old man who was interrogated and tortured to “change his religion”. In the Chatru area of Kishtwar in Doda district, Geelani claimed that three Muslims were taken to temple and forced to change their religion. While refusing to do so, they were killed, Mr Geelani alleged. He also alleged that a mother and daughter in Nowgam near Banihal area of Doda district were raped by security personnel and no action had been taken even as a case had been registered.

The APHC chairman also expressed concern over the killing of six youths from Sopore, who were allegedly killed in a “fake encounter” in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district on May 15 last. Mr Geelani alleged that the youth were picked up from the town on May 14 and a day later were killed near the LoC.

Claiming that no action was being taken against the guilty, Syed Geelani held that it was done in accordance with the Union Minister, Mr Pramod Mahajan’s statement that by taking action against the security forces, their “morale” was affected, Mr Geelani held that excesses continued in accordance with the pro-active policy of the central government.

New PCC chief warns dissidents
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, May 27 — The new PCC chief, Mr Mohd Shafi Qureshi, came down heavily on the dissidents in the party while speaking at a function held in the party office to pay homage to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru here today.

In the presence of some of the dissidents, Mr Qureshi said that he would be the last man to tolerate indiscipline and dissidence in the party. In fact, he was peeved by a slogan-shouting group, belonging to a dissident leader, that had slightly disrupted yesterday’s first public meeting organised by the Congress.

Raising his voice, Mr Qureshi wanted to know what were the plans of the dissidents. He said that as the PCC chief he would carry everybody in the organisation with him and anyone found engaged in fomenting groupism would be thrown out of the party. He advised Congress men to sink their differences because the party had to play a significant role of defeating the alleged unholy alliance between the National Conference and the BJP.

The PCC chief alleged that the BJP-NC alliance had been instrumental in causing major political vacuum in the state, resulting in untold miseries among the people and in the deterioration in security situation.

Several Congress leaders felt that Mr Qureshi has started asserting his authority and he may act firmly against the dissidents headed by Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad. Inside reports said that after meeting partymen in different areas of the state, Mr Qureshi would discuss the problem of groupism with the party President, Ms Sonia Gandhi.

An impression has gone round in the state that the National Conference leadership may have to face the new challenge thrown up by Mr Qureshi and in case he and the PDP headed by Mufti Mohd. Sayeed forge a secret understanding, the opposition to the ruling National Conference would assume teeth. At present, the National Conference is in full control of the situation with the BJP playing safe and other opposition groups either having not much of a presence or trying to play a second fiddle to the Chief Minister.

Farooq longs for peace of old days
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, May 27 — Pained at the scars of militancy over Kashmir’s rich ethos Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah yearns for peace and wishes Pandits and Muslims living together like in the past to enliven the beautiful valley.

“Will those days ever return” emotionally choked Farooq Abdullah asked this and many more questions about what Kashmir had lost in the past decade. He gave vent to his feelings at a function held here last evening. The occasion was the release of book “Saqi’s Kashmir”, a collection of write-ups on the well-known poet and litterateur of Kashmiri of his son, Vijay Saqi. The function was organised by newly set up “Lal Ded Foundation” by Kashmiri poets and writers at the Broadway Hotel here, on the first death anniversary of Moti Lal Saqi. Saqi, had spent last eight years of his life outside Kashmir after the Kashmiri Pandits migrated from the valley with the eruption of militancy early in 1990.

Farooq Abdullah said the migration of Kashmiri Pandits had deprived the valley of many talented writers, thinkers and poets who had enriched the composite culture and literature of the valley. He wished that those crying hoarse over Kashmiriat could have prevailed over the minorities against leaving Kashmir and facing the turmoil together. Instead, some vested interests sprang up to capitalise on the situation, he regretted.

Recalling pre-militancy times when the two communities shared each others joys and sorrows, discullsed politics or commented on the world situation, on Habbe Kadal bridge, Farooq Abdullah recollected the days when he used to roam around in Ganpatyar and Habbakadal with his Pandit friends or sharing meals in Thalis with Moti Lal Harkar served by his mother affectionately. Pandits might have forgotten Hoonmet, a morsel for pets before taking meals, but he still remembers it.

He said though Kashmiri Pandits were dwelling in the plains outside the valley but their souls were still in the depths of Kashmir. “Will ever their deep wounds get healed”? He wondered and asked when would people move around here fearlessly? When will sparrows sing again? When will Moti Lal and Farooq walk together in lanes and bylanes of Habbakadal? Lost in the past he also remembered the days when innocent kids would go to picnic or play underneath chinars and walnut trees. Saqi would have also been feeling the same about Kashmir as he used to be while in London years before, he observed saying that “home is where your heart is”?

Listening in rapt attention to the speakers who dwelt on multi-faceted Moti Lal Saqi and Kashmir heritage, Dr Abdullah poured his emotions by singing in melodious voice “Kab aaogay Meray Ram... Meray Allah... Meray Shaam” leaving the audience spell bound. The audience dominated by artists, singers, writers and scholars were on their toes to listen not the Chief Minister, but a singer, with disbelief writ large on their faces.

Showing his deep regard for the artists and intellectuals the Chief Minister said they did not attain the position in the society, which they ought to have. In West intellectuals are respected the most but unfortunately “our society has not yet due appreciation for them”. He saluted their talent and intellect and said they, though not economically that well off, are the conscious keepers of the society.

Mr Ghulam Nabi Khayal, poet and journalist, presided over the function. Mr Khayal, Bashir Akhtar and Gulshan Majeed spoke about their relationship and the contribution of Moti Lal Saqi to Kashmiri literature and culture. Mr Bashir Akhtar Malik and Ashraf Sahil were also present on the occasion. Vijay Saqi, a writer and the eldest son of Moti Lal Saqi remembered the achievements of his father. Bashir Malik gave a resume of the Lal Ded Foundation.