 |
| Monday, November 27, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
|
Jammu Muslims ‘cannon fodder’ for Pak Make ceasefire a ‘success’ NCC third force:
Farooq J&K asks for surplus
foodgrain stocks Attempt to
thwart peace process: Mufti |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Jammu Muslims ‘cannon fodder’ for Pak NEW DELHI, Nov 26 (PTI) — The Muslims of Jammu feel cheated at the hands of Pakistani and Kashmiri fundamentalists who used them as “cannon fodder” in the name of Islam, a prominent leader of the community has said. “The Gujjars, Bakerwals and Pahari-speaking Muslims living in the Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts are disillusioned with the ideas of Azadi (freedom) and merger with Pakistan. They feel cheated and used as cannon fodder in the name of Islam.” Abdul Rouf Ganai, Co-Convener of the Jammu Kashmir Nationalist Front (JKNF) said. Majority of the youth misled by the Pakistani propaganda have been wiped out by security forces and there is no sympathy left for militants in these districts, he said. “The people have realised that they have been used as scape goats by those who wanted to show that not only the muslims in the valley but also those across the Pir Panjal ranges are victims of alleged Indian atrocities,” said Ganai, who preferred to shift his daughters’ education to Jammu rather than toeing the militants’ diktat on wearing `burqa’. The Jammu Muslims, he said, were ethnically and culturally different from the Kashmiri Muslims. “We are closer to the Hindu Paharis, Gujjars, Dogras and Punjabis. Kashmiri Muslims treated Hindus much better than us,” he said. Denying that the
JKNF's demand for the state’s trifurcation was “communal and RSS-backed” Ganai said, “both Hindus and Muslims of Jammu are treated as second class citizens by the Srinagar-based Kashmiri elite”. Ganai and other
JKNF leaders were in the capital to meet leaders of various political parties and seek their support for its demand for trifurcation of the state with statehood to Jammu and Union Territory status to Ladakh. “If maximum number of militants are caught and killed in the Jammu region, it is because of the cooperation the security forces get from the locals,” he said. Blaming the National Conference for the “mess” Kashmir is in today, the
JKNF leader said even Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s earlier demand for converting the Line of Control into the International border was “a conspiracy against Jammu.” “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is actually Pakistan-occupied Jammu. The people of Jammu and PoK are ethnically of the same stock. Mr Abdullah knows that if the people of both sides unite, the Kashmiris would be reduced to a minority,” he said. The solution to the Kashmir imbroglio, he said, was the trifurcation of the state “for that would help the Kashmiri get rid of their anti-Jammu psyche which is at the root of the anti-India sentiments.” |
|
NEW DELHI, Nov 26 (PTI) — Kashmiris of all ideological hues have supported Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s offer of unilateral ceasefire during Ramzan and have appealed all quarters - the Indian Government as well as militant organisations - to spare no effort in making it a success, to pave way for lasting peace in the strife-torn state. Describing the ceasefire as a move in the right direction, academics and political leaders from both sides of Kashmir have suggested the Indian Government further undertake “concrete confidence building measures” to sustain the peace process set rolling by Mr Vajpayee, and local political and militant organisations to respond to it. “Ceasefire is a wise move but more important is the response of the militants, so that the peace process does not get scuttled,” said advocate
Khurshid, from Baramula at an ongoing international symposium “Next steps in Jammu and Kashmir: Give Peace a Chance,” here last evening. According to London-based Shabir Choudry of the JKLF, New Delhi’s truce offer should be fortified with some tangible ground actions, to instill confidence and faith among the average Kashmiri, among whom sense of alienation is strong. Withdrawal of some sand bunkers could instill confidence among the locals, said
Choudry, adding that having made the peace offer, the government would also expect a positive response from the militant organisations and some kind of assurance from them would go a long way in sustaining the process to usher in peace in the state. Former Parliament Member Saiffudin
Soz, stressed the ceasefire offer was received well in Kashmir and it should serve as a reference point to move forward. Due consideration should be given to all political formations in the state, if the government was interested in bring about genuine peace, said Nazir
Gilani, of the Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights, noting that any peace process would also have to address the political aspirations of the predominant minorities on both sides of the Line of Control. “We have to bring, apart from the Hurriyat, other minority organisations in the dialogue,” Gilani said.
Gilani, who hails from the PoK, said “Kashmiri leadership should invoke the support of the Indian civil society and force the Indian Government to face the “acid test of the aspirations of people. India would not be persuaded unless the leadership submits itself to the free will of the people. It should also be seen as making an equitable demand of Pakistan, in relation to Azad Kashmir and northern areas as well”. While the role of Pakistan cannot be wished away, several Kashmiris also noted that it was not in the interest of peace if a solution was sought without the involvement of Islamabad. According to Mr
Soz, Pakistan has got recognition as a factor in the Kashmir problem in Tashkent and in
Shimla. “Even if we don’t have tripartite talks there could be triangular talks that is simultaneous talks between Delhi and Islamabad on the one hand and Delhi and Kashmiri leaders on the other,” suggested
Soz. All Kashmiri speakers, irrespective of their leanings, expressed their anguish at having become victims at the hands of two warring nations that considered Kashmir as no more than an international territorial dispute, their struggle for self assertion and political participation being relegated to the background. |
|
JAMMU, Nov 26 (UNI) — Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, commenting on the peace efforts in the state, said here today that peace would come, though Pakistan may take time to understand the futility of its animosity and reciprocate initiative for normalising relations. He was addressing NCC cadets. Describing the NCC as the third force, he called upon the youth to participate in NCC activities more enthusiastically, as the country needed them as officers in belt force. “ I am sure they will always remain at the forefront to serve their motherland”, he exhorted. Dr Abdullah said the state government was contemplating setting up of a flying club in the state to train the youth to become commercial pilots. He said the proposed club would be located at Katra and the airstrip laid by Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari could be developed for the purpose. A small aircraft would be procured for training desirous youngsters, he added. The NCC would explore the possibility of having an air force wing in the state, the Chief Minister said. He recalled his days in the NCC and said its activities brought together the youth of various regions and religions. In his address, the Deputy Director-General, NCC, Jammu and Kashmir, Brig D. S. Dhillon, said 13,000 cadets from 136 educational institutions were presently enrolled in various wings of the NCC while another 278 institutions were in the waiting list. He said an NCC unit at Leh and an air squadron at Udhampur would be set up soon. Brigadier Dhillon said 384 cadets from all over the country participated in the national integration camp held at Leh this year. Three cadets from the state would go abroad under the youth exchange programme shortly, he informed. A training programme for cadets in disaster management would be launched soon in the state, he added. He said the participation of cadets from all parts of the state in the rally spoke about the commitment of the youth to keep the NCC movement alive in Jammu and Kashmir despite numerous problems. The NCC, he said, had emerged as a youth movement ever since its inception in 1948. Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected an impressive parade by the cadets and took the salute at the march past. He also gave away prizes to various groups for their distinction.
Dr Abdullah released the first-ever magazine issued by the NCC, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister also flagged off a cycle expedition. |
|
J&K asks for surplus foodgrain stocks JAMMU, Nov 26 (PTI) — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has asked the Centre to supply surplus stocks of foodgrains to people living in border and remote areas of the state at subsidised rates. “We have requested the Centre to consider the supply of surplus stocks of foodgrains to people living in border and remote areas of our state at subsidised rates as large quantity of foodgrains have not been lifted by ration dealers,” state Food Minister Ajay Sadhotra said reporters here yesterday. He said the state government had launched a scheme to provide 10 kg of ration free of cost every month to destitutes above 65 years of age. He said 466 sale depots had been opened during the last four years to strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS). The state government was spending Rs 36.32 crore annually on the PDS. Mr Sadhotra said the work for exploration of hydro-carbon in Rajouri and Suriansar in Jammu division, Zanskar in Ladakh region and in Kashmir valley was likely to be taken up shortly. The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Oil Gas, which was approached by the state government for undertaking the work at Suriansar, had revealed that a survey conducted by it indicated the presence of hydro-carbon in other places also, he said. |
|
|
Attempt to
thwart peace process: Mufti JAMMU, Nov 26 — The Peoples Democratic Party President, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has blamed some vested interests within and outside the country for trying to sabotage the month-long ceasefire offer by Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. Addressing a convention at Reasi in Udhampur district today, he said the announcement of a unilateral ceasefire by the Prime Minister had raised hope for resolving the Kashmir issue. He, however, said some vested interests were trying to thwart the peace process and the killing of 10 persons near Banihal and Kistwar district. Appreciating the positive stand taken by various political parties at the national and regional level over the ceasefire, the Peoples Democratic Party Chief hoped that the parleys would be initiated shortly. Ms Mehbooba Mufti, hailing the ceasefire, said the party had the potential of becoming a viable alternative to the National Conference. She said the ruling National Conference had suffered serious erosion during the past four years and it was time to the Centre to stop appeasing it.
|
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
