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| Thursday, February 15, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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APHC leaders feel betrayed NC unhappy over lionising of
APHC Ceasefire to end:
Farooq Housing colony not fit for
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APHC leaders feel betrayed JAMMU, Feb 14
The APHC executive committee would have met again and announced its decision to call off its proposed visit to Pakistan but it decided to show enough patience because it did not want to be blamed for sabotaging the peace process, initiated by the Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. What has baffled the APHC leaders is the continued silence adopted by the government over the consistent demand of the separatists to grant travel documents to the five-member team so that the members could visit Pakistan for discussing the Kashmir issue with Islamabad and leaders of different militant outfits. Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Chairman, APHC, said in reply to a question, that it was not possible for him and his colleagues to persuade militants to stop armed attacks in order to allow the peace process to reach its logical conclusion. He explained that in the Kashmir valley various militant outfits operated without their leaders who were across the border. He said the APHC leaders could discuss this issue with leaders of militant outfits and persuade them to halt the armed campaign for encouraging tripartite talks and this was possible only when “we are allowed to visit Pakistan.” Prof Bhat stated that the Centre initiated the peace process by announcing a unilateral ceasefire. This was reciprocated by Pakistan with Islamabad ordering ceasefire along the LoC. As far as the APHC was concerned, he said: “we supported the ceasefire and set up a five-member team for visiting Pakistan to discuss the Kashmir issue and the allied matters.” He added “it is for the Government of India to take the next step by issuing passports in favour of the five members of the APHC.” Answering another question he said: “If the government has any hesitation in issuing passport to one or two APHC leaders it could make its stand known on it.” He said once the government issued passports in favour of three or four members of the APHC, “we will convene a meeting of the executive committee and debate whether we will accept the government decision or not.” He was for a definite stand by the government. Asked whether the government would be justified if it did not extend further the non-initiation of combat operations in view of the escalation of militancy-related violence, Prof Bhat said it was for the Centre to decide on this issue. As far as the APHC was concerned it wanted that all issues should be discussed with Pakistan and leaders of militant outfits. He said after such discussions were held in Pakistan the picture could become clear. He suspected that the Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee had been held a “hostage” by extremist elements within the Sangh Parivar preventing him from taking a final and definite decision on the grant of passports to the members of the APHC. The APHC Chairman said if the peace process got derailed the Centre alone would be held responsible. In support of his contention he said both Pakistan and the APHC reciprocated positively to the peace initiative and it was for the Government of India to supplement the ceasefire offer with other inputs which were required to keep the dialogue on for resolving the Kashmir issue. He said the government had realised that “We have enough patience. We cannot be provoked to sabotage the peace initiative. But at the same time we cannot be expected to adopt wait-and-watch policy for an indefinite period.” Prof Bhat said people in India, Pakistan and Kashmir were for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. He claimed that the Prime Minister’s peace initiative had kindled hope among the people in the subcontinent and if this hope was betrayed only the Government of India should be held responsible. He hoped that the Prime Minister would come out of the influence of the “hawks” in the Sangh Parivar and allow the Hurriyat team to visit Pakistan. “We cannot perform miracles. But we want a chance to be given to us to make a sincere attempt at removing mistrust between Islamabad and New Delhi which is required to normalise the relations between the two neighbours for the interest of peace,” he said adding that the APHC could play a positive role in this direction. |
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NC unhappy over lionising of
APHC JAMMU, Feb 14
Participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address in the Legislative Assembly here today Molvi Iftikhar lambasted the APHC leaders for claiming to be representatives of the people of Kashmir. He said they had neither contested the elections nor had the mandate of the people. The Molvi criticised the Centre for having given a representative status to the APHC leaders. He said these very leaders had misled the people. They were responsible for the massacres that had and were taking place in Kashmir. He alleged that the APHC leaders were hand in glove with Pakistani agencies and they received directions from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi and other agencies across the border and acted accordingly. He said it was unfortunate that those very seven leaders of the APHC were being “lionised” who played with the life and honour of people, especially women, in the state. He said the situation continued to be alarming in Kashmir and he himself had escaped death twice. He said the entire Indian subcontinent was sitting on a volcano and it was shocking that only the Kashmiris were being made a scapegoat. “We are the victims of militants, Governments of India and Pakistan,” he thundered and added that “we alone suffer. He wanted suitable steps to be taken to improve the security situation and said that government should forget about the APHC and
involve all major political organisations, especially the National Conference, in the settlement of the turmoil in Kashmir. Referring to the trauma being faced by the people of Kashmir he said Kashmiri Pandits, who had been forced to migrate from their ancestral villages, were having a miserable time. He said these Pandits had got scattered all over the country and were losing their identity. He predicted that in case the situation was not created for their return they would lose their identity and merge with other communities within next five years. The CPM member, Mr M.Y. Tarigami, said the Prime Minister’s peace initiative was a bold step but it should have been backed up by other inputs for resolving the ongoing turmoil. He said Pakistan had reciprocated it by ordering ceasefire on the LoC but it was not sufficient. Islamabad, he said, should have prevailed upon militants to stop killing innocent people. Referring to a recent statement from Gen Pervez Musharraf, Mr Tarigami said if General Musharraf claimed that Pakistan was a ‘moderate” nation it should have checked the activities of the extremists who operated on its soil. He said people on both sides of the LoC were for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and he demanded that India should soften its stand so that the LoC was turned into a soft border allowing people on both sides of the border to meet one each other. Mr Tarigami said India should enter into a dialogue with Pakistan. “Now or never”, he said adding that talks with Pakistan could help the two sides to ease tension. He said people in the state had gone through a very difficult period. A large number of people had been killed and others were languishing in jails. He pleaded for the release of all detainees to build confidence among them to participate in the peace process. The Communist leader wanted a definite stand on the ceasefire and on the peace process. He said it was surprising that different voices were heard as far as the ceasefire was concerned. This, according to him, indicated that there was no unanimity over it. He said a suitable Kashmir policy was required so that people were not sandwiched between the guns of the security forces and that of the militants. |
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Ceasefire to end:
Farooq LUDHIANA, Feb 14
Questioning the logic of extending the ceasefire further in J&K, Dr Abdullah made it clear that it was high time the Centre reconsidered the decision when it comes up for a review on February 26. “They may revise the decision as the militants have successfully managed to reorganise themselves which does not portend well for the peace and return of normalcy in the valley”, he remarked. Dr Abdullah, who was on a private visit to Ludhiana to attend a marriage, pointed out, while on the Line of Actual Control the ceasefire decision had helped in reducing tension between India and Pakistan, in the hinterland, within the state, the militants had taken undue advantage and were striking at will. Lauding the role of the security forces the J&K Chief Minister pointed out that despite all odds their morale was high and they were exercising great restraint. Denying that he was opposed to the idea of ceasefire from day one, Dr Abdullah said, in the beginning it was alright and yielded some good results also. But over a period of time, as the situation itself explained, continuing with the decision (of ceasefire) was not viable. He said, a number of people, including policemen and his party workers, had been targeted during the ceasefire and the militants had got emboldened and they were striking at will. Admitting that the ceasefire decision had made it clear to the world that India was committed to the peaceful settlement of the issue, Dr Abdullah cautioned, “at the same time it should not be construed to be our weakness”. He said: “In fact the world powers particularly the USA had acknowledged it and for the first time the US Defence Department has brought out a map which has put the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Pak occupied part with India. This is clear vindication of our stand”. While suggesting that for the time being the ceasefire needed to be reviewed, he observed, it could be announced again after a gap of few months. The Chief Minister did not appear to be happy with the centre’s policy of according recognition to the Hurriyat leaders. He opposed any move aimed at involving the Hurriyat leaders in negotiations with Pakistan at any level. He said, it would amount to conceding to the Pakistani and Hurriyat demand of tripartite talks. Explaining further, he asserted: “Kashmir is an integral part of the country and our Prime Minister is the best person to represent us (the Kashmiris) for any negotiations at any level. No one else has any authority. Even myself, although I am an elected representative of the Kashmiris, cannot claim to represent the Kashmiris. Where is the locus standi of the Hurriyat leaders as they have yet to prove their representative character”. At the same time he clarified that it was the discretion of the Centre to talk to anyone who it thought is proper. “But they must ensure that they are talking to the right and genuine people”, he cautioned. Dr Abdullah warned against designs of certain communal elements who were suggesting the trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir on religious lines. He warned, the move would not just endorse Jinnah’s two nation theory but would also mean the beginning of a process that would only end in handing over Kashmir to Pakistan. He regretted that certain senior BJP leaders like Mr K.R. Malkani were also supporting such a divisive and dangerous agenda. “But it will not be allowed at any cost”, he asserted, while adding, “Farooq will not let it happen”. To a question on the security of minorities particularly the Sikhs, the Chief Minister assured full security to them. He declared that no member of the minority community would need to leave the valley as the government had drawn up a comprehensive plan for their security which included recruiting special police officers and recruitment in the central police organisations as had been agreed to be the Centre. He pointed out, as a first step a Cabinet Minister had been appointed from the Sikh community which would be followed up with special recruitment. |
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Housing colony not fit for
living UDHAMPUR:
About 20 years ago these roads, lanes and drains were constructed, thereafter no repair was done either by the Housing Board or by the Town Area Committee (TAC). No street lights have been provided in the Housing Colony with the result people cannot walk at night during an emergency. There is no school for colony children established by the government. The authorities have not hired sweepers for cleaning the roads and drains of the colony with the result that heaps of filth get accumulated. Land for parks has been acquired, but instead of plants, lawns and fountains, the ground is full of garbage. Even the luxury houses built for VIPs are enclosed by heaps of filth. There are workshops on the national highway and workers who repair the vehicles, throw rags and useless at the entrance to the colony. Taking in view the above-mentioned problems of the residents of the colony, a deputation of residents met the district administration several times but it has shown its inability to solve their problems on the plea that the control of the colony comes under the Housing Board. It cannot provide funds for the development of the colony until control of the colony is not handed over to the TAC. These roads are being used to teach driving with the result it has become problem for the public of the area to walk on the roads, especially school-going children. * * * The Tourist Office has been housed in a private building near the Bus Stand having just two rooms. On the demand of the people, the office was upgraded by the government six months ago and an officer of the Dy Director’s rank was posted there. The Dy Director attended office only on the joining day and since then he has not turned up. Neither has the Deputy Director been attending office nor has staff been posted. The location and accommodation for the office of Deputy Director (Tourism) is neither proper nor suitable, therefore another building having sufficient accommodation is needed. During the Amarnath yatra and Mata Vaishnodevi yatra there is a rush of pilgrims and on account of this rush, they face problems in getting their names registered in this small office. * * * Udhampur town has only one park — Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park. The elderly mostly come to the park to bask in the mild winter sun. Children come in the evening to play. On one side is the P.N. Dogra Market while the other sides are surrounded by the Higher Secondary School (Boys), CMO’s office and Government Degree College for Women. There are two gates to the park but only one gate has been opened to the public. At the closed gate, people dump sand, bricks, bajri, stones and trash. At the outer side of the park three urinals have been constructed. One urinal constructed towards the Dogra Market flows towards the park and emits a foul smell keeping people away. The tank in which fountain has been installed is full of stones, mud and dirty water. There are heaps of filth on each side of the park due to which pollution and a pungent smell is emitted. In addition, double storey shops have been constructed due to which the park has been hidden. Benches kept in the park for the public have been broken and “jhoolas” installed there for children not in working condition. As this park has been named after Bhagat Singh Park, therefore a statue of this martyr is essential at the park. |
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