Srinagar, September 13
Blaming the Centre for militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani here today said the Indo-Pak dialogue did not lead to resolution of Kashmir issue for India’s “unrealistic approach” to the problem.

Mr Geelani was addressing the first day-long delegate convention of the separatist Hurriyat Conference a year after breaking away from the Moulvi Abbas-led APHC, outside his Hyderpora residence here today. He reiterated his stand on the tripartite talks for resolution of the Kashmir issue by grant of the right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions. Mr Geelani strongly urged India to recognise Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory and not treat it as its “integral part”. This, he said, would only lead to resolution of the Kashmir issue that related to over 1.3 crore people of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We are not against dialogue…. but the dialogue between India and Pakistan should be Kashmir centred”, Mr Geelani said. In an obvious reference to the ongoing Indo-Pak dialogue process, the APHC chairman said issues like air links, bus services, visa facilities and other issues would not lead to the resolution of the issue. He said the main focus should be on the resolution of the issue through the right of self-determination by dint of UN resolutions as promised to its people by the leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru. “We will monitor if there is a positive change in India’s approach”, Mr Geelani commented, adding it will have to “recognise the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir”.

In his over one-hour long address to the delegate convention, Syed Ali Shah Geelani also referred to the recent report of the European Union (EU) which reportedly admitted that Jammu and Kashmir was a “disputed territory”. He held that the UN resolutions, according to the EU report, were “relevant at present as well”. Mr Geelani also gave a detailed account of the historical background leading to the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and referred to the promises made by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

While Mr Geelani appreciated the role of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for several years, he held that the Sheikh’s signing of the accord in 1975 with the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, was vehemently opposed.

Mr Geelani further made a strong appeal to the minority community members to return to their places in the valley. “The Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists are part of us. We want them back”, he commented. He added that Kashmiri Pandits equally suffered and faced the scorching heat of summers outside the valley. “Non-Muslims are welcome here”, Mr Geelani commented, adding that their return on the plans of central and State governments was not “acceptable to us”. Holding that non-Muslims were “our brethren”, Mr Geelani said the setting up of security zones as the Government was planning to rehabilitate the community, would not be acceptable.

The APHC leader blamed the national political parties for their communal role in the country and blamed the Congress party for anti-Muslim violence over 45 years of its rule. “They can’t blame us for they are responsible for the killings on communal lines in the country”, he said. He also referred to the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, massacre of 3000 Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, and a sense of insecurity among the 20 crore Muslim population of the country.

Mr Geelani demanded withdrawal of security forces that unleashed a reign of terror in Kashmir, withdrawal of various special powers acts, release of detainees, and an end to the continued arrests and use of force against those protesting excesses and harassment.

Jammu, September 13
Gujjars and Bakerwals, who are the third largest ethnic group after Muslims and Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir, have demanded involvement of their representatives in talks with the Government of India for the restoration of peace in the state.

The demand is contained in a communication to the Union Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil, sent by Haji Buland Khan, vice-chairman of the advisory board for the development of Gujjars and Bakerwals in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Buland Khan told this correspondent today that in his communication to Mr Patil “I have explained the reason behind our demand for inclusion of our representatives in the talks.” He said Gujjars and Bakerwals resided in every village and block of the state, except for Leh and Kargil districts, and have faced innumerable problems and miseries during the past three wars with Pakistan, in the Kargil conflict and during the past 15 years’ of militancy. “We are keen on restoration of peace and we can help the government in finding tranquility,” he said.

During the past two years, leaders of Gujjars and Bakerwals have been clamouring over the way they were not involved in parleys with the Centre when Delhi preferred to talk to separatists.

Mr Khan said since the UPA Government had not changed the horse in “midstream” by retaining Mr N.N. Vohra as its interlocutor “I hope this time we will be associated with the dialogue.”

In previous communication to the Central Government the Gujjar leaders, including Mr Buland Khan, while highlighting the quantum of step motherly treatment meted out to the ethnic group by the successive state governments, have demanded reservation for the community in the Assembly, legislative council and in recruitment in government offices.

Despite having been granted tribal status in 1991 the community has been denied reservation as provided in the Constitution.

Mr Buland Khan said Scheduled Castes, having over four lakh population, which is not even 50 per cent of what the Gujjars have, have seven seats reserved in the Assembly while “our community has none.”

“In our communication we have requested the Government of India to encourage Gujjar and Bakerwal youths in getting jobs in the Army, paramilitary forces, the ITBP and other central services,” he said.

Two other issues continue to upset the Gujjars and Bakerwals which include occupation of hostels built for the community students by security forces in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kupwara and Doda districts. The Government of India has been requested to get these hostel building vacated as their 15-year-long occupancy has resulted in high school dropout rate.

The community leaders have also demanded special financial assistance for the development of the tribal areas in the state.