{"id":7493,"date":"2010-10-04T00:00:15","date_gmt":"2010-10-03T22:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=7493"},"modified":"2010-09-27T22:28:41","modified_gmt":"2010-09-27T20:28:41","slug":"jammu-and-kashmir-in-search-for-unconventional-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2010\/10\/jammu-and-kashmir-in-search-for-unconventional-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Jammu and Kashmir: In Search for Unconventional Options"},"content":{"rendered":"

Report on the study tour of Beersmans Paul, president of the Belgian Association for Solidarity with J&K to India and the Indian J&K state from 24 June to 21 July 2010.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

Human Rights Council, Fiftheenth Session, Geneva, September 2010.<\/em><\/p>\n

1. INTRODUCTION<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

a. This is the report on the yearly study tour to Kashmir and Ladakh (district Kargil and Leh).\u00a0 Notwithstanding all limitations due to the situation in the Valley, I had meetings with the common man in the street, representatives of the J&K State Government, of political parties, of separatist leaders, of different organisations, of social, religious and educational institutions, of the press, etc. in the Valley, in Kargil and in Leh.\u00a0 You find the “highlights” of these meetings in Par. 2.\u00a0 In Par. 3 you will find the conclusions of our Association.\u00a0 For Jammu region: see the report \u2018Jammu and Kashmir: Terrorism, A Global Threat, A Global Challenge\u2019 of the study tour January\/February 2010: http:\/\/basjak.org<\/a>.\u00a0 Visit also the photo-gallery, with unique photographs, on our website.<\/p>\n

b. This study tour I had a special invitation of Prof. Dr. Varun Sahni, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu, to visit the Campus of his University in Bhaderwah.\u00a0 With pleasure I accepted this invitation.\u00a0 I am very thankful to Prof. Dr. Varun Sahni and to Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmad Hamal, Rector of the Campus, and his Academic Staff in Bhaderwah.\u00a0 Thanks to the perfect organisation this visit and the interaction with the students were unique experiences.\u00a0 The University of Jammu and the Campus in Bhaderwah are in good hands.<\/p>\n

c. In the Valley, separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani issued an ultimatum to reduce the Amarnath Yatra (= pilgrimage) from two months to two weeks.\u00a0 As a result, the situation was tense due to demonstrations and agitation: stone pelting\/catapulting, setting ablaze vehicles, police stations, government buildings, etc.\u00a0 During confrontations between security forces and demonstrators some of them were killed.\u00a0 New demonstrations followed with more people killed, a vicious circle without an end.\u00a0 APHC-G announced action plans: harthals, strikes, sit-ins, close downs, etc.\u00a0 The authorities imposed curfew in order to get the situation under control.\u00a0 All this made it difficult to arrange meetings and to have interviews.<\/p>\n

d. I thank all those who helped me to make this study tour possible.\u00a0 All my friends of the Belgian Association for Solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir gave me an invaluable and much appreciated moral support throughout this, to a certain extent frustrating, study tour.\u00a0 As usual, they also gave practical, financial and material help where needed.<\/p>\n

h. Used abbreviations:<\/p>\n

– APHC-M or APHC-G: All Parties Hurriyat Conference split in two groups: a moderate group under Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and a hard-line group under Syed Ali Shah Geelani.<\/p>\n

– BJP: Bhartiya Janata Party, the largest opposition party in India.<\/p>\n

– CBM: Confidence Building Measures.<\/p>\n

– ISI: Inter Services Intelligence.\u00a0 Most powerful and omnipresent military intelligence agency in Pakistan.<\/p>\n

– LAHDC-K or LAHDC-L: Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil or Leh.<\/p>\n

– LoC: Line of Control.\u00a0 The line dividing J&K between India and Pakistan.<\/p>\n

– LUTF: Ladakh Union Territory Front.\u00a0 A party striving for Union Territory status for Ladakh.<\/p>\n

– MLA: Member Legislative Assembly in J&K State.<\/p>\n

– NC: National Conference.\u00a0 The largest mainstream party in J&K State headed by Farooq Abdullah.\u00a0 His son, Omar Abdullah, is presently Chief Minister of J&K State heading a coalition Government with Congress Party.<\/p>\n

– PDP: People\u2019s Democratic Party.\u00a0 A former coalition partner in J&K State headed by Mehbooba Mufti.\u00a0 Presently, this is the main opposition party.<\/p>\n

– Yatra: the yearly pilgrimage of Hindus to the Amarnath cave<\/p>\n

2. HIGHLIGHTS OF EACH MEETING<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

a. MEETING WITH PROF. DR. VARUN SAHNI, VICE CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITY OF JAMMU, IN JAMMU AND PROF. DR. IRSHAD AHAMAD HAMAL, RECTOR, BHADERWAH CAMPUS, IN BHADERWAH <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The University of Jammu was established in 1969 following bifurcation of the erstwhile University of J&K into two Universities.\u00a0 Its area of jurisdiction is spread over the districts of Jammu, Udhampur, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and Kathua.\u00a0 His Excellency the Governor of the State of J&K is the Chancellor of the University, the Chief-Minister is Pro-Chancellor.\u00a0 It is primarily a research, teaching, affiliating and examining body involved in promotion of arts, science and other branches of learning.\u00a0 It admits, maintains, recognises and affiliates colleges and other institutions open to all classes and creeds with the sole objective to guide people from darkness to light.<\/p>\n

The University offers a number of academic programmes like Post Graduate degrees, M.Phil., Ph.D., post graduate diplomas, certificate courses, graduate degrees through its various teaching departments, centres, affiliated colleges, Centre for Adult and Continuing Education and Directorate of Distance Education.\u00a0 From eleven departments in 1969, the University has been growing continuously and today has thirty-three teaching departments and 123 colleges affiliated to it.\u00a0 The growth and development of the University of Jammu and its affiliated colleges has resulted in Jammu becoming the hub of Higher Education in the region.<\/p>\n

The University has from time to time, introduced new contemporary job oriented courses, to keep pace with the developments in the academic world.\u00a0 The University expanded geographically and set up campuses in other parts of the State: at Bhaderwah and Kathua, where professional courses like MBA, MCA, etc. are being offered.<\/p>\n

The University has been indentified as one of the sixteen universities in the country for the promotion of Indian Higher Education abroad.\u00a0 Many international collaborations and linkages with other institutions for faculty and students exchange have taken place in recent years.<\/p>\n

The University realises its responsibilities toward its main stakeholders i.e. the students and efforts for placements of students by way of activating placements cells in all departments, alumni networking, introduction of job oriented courses, training for students are being taken place.<\/p>\n

The Vision of the Bhaderwah Campus is:<\/p>\n

– To emerge as an internationally recognised centre in higher education that will enable the students to develop proper skills for competing in this modern world.<\/p>\n

– To enable the development and socio-economic transformation of this remote region in J&K Himalaya.<\/p>\n

With all these endeavours and many more to come, one can easily say that the University of Jammu has truly established itself on the academic map of the country.<\/p>\n

b. MEETING WITH MR. SAIFUDDIN SOZ, PRESIDENT CONGRESS PARTY J&K STATE, MEMBER RAJYA SABHA, CHAIRMAN COORDINATION COMMITTEE COALITION J&K GOVERNMENT, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stone pelting is not for young boys.\u00a0 They should be home, study and prepare their exams instead of provoking the security forces.\u00a0 If you use violence as an instrument of dispute, there can\u2019t be peace.\u00a0 The gun can never decide: nothing can be achieved by violence or force.\u00a0 Also in Palestine, we have seen that intifada only brought misery.\u00a0 One should respect life: live and let live.\u00a0 Let there be peace through dialogue and discussion.\u00a0 Separatist leaders should use only democratic means to further their aims.<\/p>\n

There are positive and negative aspects in the governance of every country.\u00a0 In my position it is difficult to comment on performance of the present coalition Government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.\u00a0 You should ask the common man in the market and decide yourself what is good and not as good as it should be.<\/p>\n

As far as Kashmir is concerned, we are not at all communal and I can assure you that the Amarnath Yatra will go on without incidents although Syed Ali Shah Geelani tries hard to communalise this issue.<\/p>\n

Track II diplomacy is on.\u00a0 The dialogue between India and Pakistan has been resumed.\u00a0 The Centre invited the separatist leaders for negotiations in order to normalise the situation and to find a lasting peaceful solution.\u00a0 What happens now is to the detrimental of the people: they are fed up with all this.\u00a0 Only a small group of extremists is terrorising the whole Valley.<\/p>\n

c. MEETING WITH AHMED ALI FAYYAZ, RESIDENT EDITOR (KASHMIR) DAILY \u2018EARLY TIMES\u2019, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Phenomenal success of the Assembly elections of 2008 set in a wave of jubilation and euphoria in the mainstream political circles and establishment from Srinagar to New Delhi.\u00a0 A little over 61% of the electorate had exercised their franchise (over 1.700.000 of them in Kashmir Valley alone) without any sort of coercion, first time since 1987.\u00a0 Few among the political analysts and very senior politicians had expected this historic turnout in an Indian democratic exercise held in weeks of a mass street agitation in the Valley.<\/p>\n

Most of the people, who participated in the election, as well as many of those who did not, for varied reasons, seemed to have reasons behind their relief.\u00a0 The elections reversed the situation of an unprecedented regional and communal divide witnessed in the middle of 2008.\u00a0 There was a lot of jubilation over Omar Abdullah becoming the country’s youngest Chief Minister.\u00a0 They thought the young Chief Minister understood the importance of blending employment opportunities, development and political resolution of the Kashmir issue by strengthening dialogue between India and Pakistan.<\/p>\n

In most of his statements during the election campaign, Omar had underscored the need of responsive governance and specified \u201cbetter roads, power supplies, drinking water, healthcare and qualitative education\u201d as the major indicators of the government’s performance.<\/p>\n

Suffering from the disadvantage of being a non-resident politician, whose importance stemmed from his dynastic background, Omar demonstrated his lack of political understanding and administrative acumen from his day one in office.\u00a0 While bargaining partnership with Congress and later making two selections of his Council of Ministers, he made blatant mistakes.<\/p>\n

Obviously, in lieu of his full six-year term as Chief Minister, he handed almost all of his flagship portfolios (roads, water, health, education) to the coalition partner, Congress.\u00a0 He lacked numerical strength to form the government of his own but still had nearly double the seats Mufti Mohammad Sayeed possessed in November 2002.\u00a0 Shepherd of the thin herd of 16 in a House of 87, Mufti did not budge an inch from his cardinal demand of holding the first half of his coalition government\u2019s term.\u00a0 He made Congress bow with his obduracy for a full month after declaration of the results.<\/p>\n

Omar also humiliated the most influential of his party colleagues, including the one who had secured highest number of votes among more than 2.000 contestants in Kashmir, by keeping them out of his Cabinet.\u00a0 Those inducted were no less disappointed over their ‘insignificant’ portfolios.\u00a0 Bureaucrats and officials, known for their rank opportunism, political loyalty and proximity to the Opposition, managed to retain key positions in Omar-led coalition government.<\/p>\n

Omar\u2019s father, Dr Farooq Abdullah, who shifted to the national platform, was also appointed NC’s President.\u00a0 Party\u2019s organisational structure passed through a fresh membership drive but the key office bearers were never appointed.\u00a0 Omar\u2019s predicament became public last month when, during the course of a television interview, he said that he had more time than his father to operate as the NC\u2019s President.<\/p>\n

Consequently, an effective delivery system, consistent with NC’s election manifesto, vision document and political ideology, failed to be in place.\u00a0 The Chief Minister never seemed to be having liaison with his party rank and file, including the senior most legislators and Ministers of his government.\u00a0 Like total inertia during the days of pandemonium over Shopian in 2009, NC\u2019s leaders, legislators and Ministers seldom held a deliberation over the current spate of street turmoil until it blew into a catastrophe two months ago.<\/p>\n

Within weeks of his taking over in January 2009, complacency and nonchalance was abundantly in evidence.\u00a0 Chief Minister attended little business in the maiden session of the legislature.\u00a0 He enjoyed alpine skiing in Gulmarg on the day of his first reply on the Governor\u2019s address.\u00a0 His notes had been saved meticulously by his officials and aides and the speech was pretty emphatic but his absence from the House was marked with disdain by the Opposition and with concern by the Treasury Benches.<\/p>\n

Over the months, Omar seemed to believe that connections with New Delhi were more important than the liaison with his electors in the state.\u00a0 This led almost to a political vacuum and system failure in governance.\u00a0 Ignominiously marginalized by the elections, Valley\u2019s separatist leadership found it easier to stage a comeback.\u00a0 Growing disillusionment among the masses came handy to hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani who literally wept over the Kashmiris\u2019 infidelity of participating in the 2008 elections at a news conference after his release from jail and seemed to be desperately looking for issues until as recently as in May 2010.<\/p>\n

Geelani, who was seen using his elbow to grab a bit of the political space with the vegetarian issue of restricting Amarnath pilgrimage to 15 days, with the real concern on ecology, has filled up the vacuum with aplomb and grown as an undisputed king of Kashmir\u2019s secessionist politics in the last two months.\u00a0 He is now deciding on what days Omar and his Cabinet Ministers can move on the roads in Kashmir and when the government\u2019s offices should open and close.<\/p>\n

Much more than between his office and the people of Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Minister shuttled between Srinagar\/Jammu and New Delhi.\u00a0 Much of the political space was seized by hardline separatist leaders who left no stone unturned to mobilise people against the government.<\/p>\n

Omar Abdullah should have persuaded the Centre to talk to Islamabad for resolution of the Kashmir problem.\u00a0 Shopian tragedy in May 2009 came as the first test of his political wisdom and ability of governance.\u00a0 His flip-flop gave the impression of his immaturity and incompetence.\u00a0 This kind of Chief Minister can’t succeed in Kashmir unless he demonstrates full confidence, like Farooq Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mufti Sayeed.\u00a0 He fell victim to a psychological warfare between NC, Congress and PDP, lost whatever little self-confidence he had.\u00a0 He and his NC restricted themselves to reactionary statements against Mufti Sayeed, Mehbooba and their PDP.\u00a0 Nobody in the process contested separatist hardliners like Syed Ali Shah Geelani who eventually grabbed maximum space in politics, first time in their political career.<\/p>\n

Disturbance will continue as long as Omar Abdullah is there, because he is very weak, or as long as he continues to be head of a Government devoid of both, self confidence as well as the masse’s confidence.\u00a0 There has been some developmental activity in the last 20 months of his Omar’s government but that is no match to Azad’s tenure of 32 months from November 2005 to July 2008.<\/p>\n

On the negative side, we notice increasing corruption.\u00a0 No accountability of the politicians and the administration.\u00a0 They don’t seem to be the representatives of the people or working for people’s betterment.\u00a0 Many of them have lost contact with the electorate at the grass root level.\u00a0 They are simply after money.\u00a0 Omar knows it very well but he is helpless because he doesn’t have the majority required to chasten, sack or admonish his ministers.\u00a0 He can’t remove any of his corrupt ministers and bureaucrats without the Congress party’s support.<\/p>\n

Because of the lack of initiatives, vision and certain wrong decisions from the State Government, radical elements have captured almost the entire space in Kashmir.\u00a0 They are creating an atmosphere of communal divide.\u00a0 In Jammu, also radical Hindu elements are gaining ground.\u00a0 All these people had been sidelined in the 2008 elections.\u00a0 Today, they are calling the shots everywhere from the common people in the streets to Government officers to media.\u00a0 These radical elements have created remarkable space for themselves.\u00a0 If this situation continuous, it will not be surprising if one day yet a 2008 like situation, a situation of regional and communal divide between Kashmir and Jammu and between Hindus and Muslims occurs.\u00a0 As long as radicals and extremists are on the forefront and the secular elements stand marginalised an apprehension of communal strive exists.<\/p>\n

Nobody has any knowledge of any secret talks between the Centre and APHC.\u00a0 Also regarding APHC and the State Government there are no political contacts.\u00a0 Perhaps, there are occasional contacts on a social happening or on the airplane.\u00a0 I have the impression they are not of important significance.<\/p>\n

d. MEETING WITH MR. HASHIM QURESHI, CHAIRMAN J&K DEMOCRATIC LIBERATION PARTY AND CHAIRMAN J&K MAQBOOL NATIONAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Until we don\u2019t discuss the Kashmir problem, engage the separatist leaders in the dialogue and work out a kind of solution you can\u2019t stop this wave of violence.\u00a0 It will have ups and downs, there can be some lull for a period of time but as long as the problem is there, violence will erupt again.\u00a0 Security forces are using brutal force.\u00a0 Young boys are being killed.\u00a0 Remove the bunkers from the residential areas, let people speak, let people give vent to their frustration.\u00a0 Don\u2019t harass them, don\u2019t kill them.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t allow people to express their view, they will turn into extremists, fundamentalists.<\/p>\n

We have now one of the most corrupt regimes we ever had.\u00a0 People are totally fed up with this Government.\u00a0 NC never solved the problem politically.\u00a0 They always used brute force.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah is a young Chief Minister killing young people.<\/p>\n

Everyone is fed up: shopkeepers, businesspersons, the common people.\u00a0 Because of the harthals, strikes and curfews they don\u2019t have business or income.\u00a0 They have loans they can\u2019t pay.\u00a0 The bank is after them.\u00a0 Everyone is suffering: the shopkeepers, the students who can\u2019t go to school, patients who can\u2019t go to the hospital.\u00a0 Only the Government employees are happy: they are paid without having to work.\u00a0 Security forces are humiliating Kashmiris: they are behaving like oppressors, like an occupational force.<\/p>\n

The separatist leaders became jokers.\u00a0 Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tries only to stay alive as separatist leader, therefore he is competing with Syed Ali Shah Geelani.\u00a0 Openly, there are no relations between APHC and the State Government.\u00a0 In reality, they are hypocrites.\u00a0 They are all very friendly with each other and socialising during receptions and festivities.<\/p>\n

I fully agree: it was not fair from Syed Ali Shah Geelani to demand the reduction of the Yatra from two months to two weeks just ten days before the Yatra started.\u00a0 His intention was clearly to create problems for the Government and in this, he succeeded, resulting in too many people being killed during these demonstrations.\u00a0 If Syed Ali Shah Geelani is serious without a hidden agenda, he should start now airing his objections for the Yatra in 2011.\u00a0 He can discuss limiting the number of pilgrims, he can discuss environmental aspects and waste control, he can discuss improvement of infrastructure.\u00a0 All these are technical, structural aspects.\u00a0 They should be discussed in a serene atmosphere without stirring up emotions or giving it a communal turn.<\/p>\n

e. MEETING WITH MR. TAJ MOHI-UD-DIN, MINISTER PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEER, IRRIGATION AND FLOOD CONTROL, SENIOR CONGRESS PARTY LEADER, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The agitation taking place now is directly related to Lashkar-e-Toiba.\u00a0 They are behind this unrest.\u00a0 They changed their strategy: from direct confrontation, they shifted to indirect actions.\u00a0 Now, they use a human shield of young boys in a much-organised manner.\u00a0 They abuse the discontent among people and involve innocent civilians.\u00a0 It is very easy to instigate people by appealing on their emotions, by introducing slogans like azaadi, by referring to the sacrifices of the past.\u00a0 These are all slogans.\u00a0 This is a very dangerous situation.\u00a0 They want complete chaos.\u00a0 We have to be very careful and now that we see through their real plan, we can take the necessary measures.<\/p>\n

Syed Ali Shah Geelani tries to communalise the situation.\u00a0 He is a puppet in the hands of Pakistan.\u00a0 Kashmiris are religious and tolerant.\u00a0 They will not harm religious gatherings.\u00a0 The Yatra will be safe: nothing is going to happen but we have to be cautious.\u00a0 We have taken the necessary security measures.<\/p>\n

There is more transparency, more developmental works, an active employment policy, continuing hydro-electrical projects, etc.\u00a0 The first phase of the Baglihar Dam is operational.\u00a0 The second phase started.<\/p>\n

Secret contacts between the Centre and the separatist leaders are taking place.\u00a0 The Indian Prime Minister wants a solution and I hope something consistent is going to happen.\u00a0 India and Pakistan have almost decided about a plan and it can be announced at any time.\u00a0 It can be Musharraf\u2019s four-point plan or any other plan.\u00a0 Any plan that brings peace is acceptable.\u00a0 If Pakistan accepts that plan, violence will stop automatically.\u00a0 We must take Pakistan on face value.\u00a0 There is lack of trust: we must build up trust.\u00a0 Our first priority is peace: for the people of Kashmir, for the sub-continent, for the whole world.\u00a0 The Centre and J&K State have responsible Governments: they will take care of the national and Kashmiri interests.<\/p>\n

There are no points of agreement between PDP and the State Government.\u00a0 PDP is opposing everything the Government initiates.\u00a0 Their job is to find fault in everything we do.\u00a0 They are not directly but indirectly supporting what is going on now.\u00a0 We can\u2019t expect anything better than that.\u00a0 The Congress-NC coalition will continue until the end: there are no problems or frictions between the coalition partners.\u00a0 We will make our six years, perhaps there could be some reshuffle in the Cabinet after three years.\u00a0 This is a normal process.\u00a0 Changing loyalties of politicians is totally banned according new laws that were introduced.<\/p>\n

There are no communal tensions at all.\u00a0 In Jammu Province, Hindu extremist elements supported by BJP made a call for strike but they failed completely.\u00a0 People don\u2019t like communal agitation.\u00a0 What happens now has nothing to do with communalism: only vested interests are at the origin of this violence.<\/p>\n

f. MEETING WITH MR. BASHIR MANZAR, EDITOR \u2018KASHMIR IMAGES\u2019, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

People are suffering.\u00a0 Those who live from \u2018street life\u2019, the vendors, shopkeepers and businessmen suffer very hard.\u00a0 In addition, the common man suffers: schools are closed, patients can\u2019t go to the doctor or the hospital, tourists are cancelling reservations and staying away.<\/p>\n

There is a pattern in the ongoing wave of violence, it is clear that someone is pulling the strings:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 it starts always in the same season: May, June, July;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 the same young people are coming on the streets;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 they shift the \u2018battle field\u2019 up and down from North to South of the Valley;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 first, a noble aim is inducted.\u00a0 This time, it was the ultimatum for the reduction of the Yatra from two months to two weeks because of environmental reasons.\u00a0 Syed Ali Shah Geelani started this deliberately, knowing very well that it was impossible to accept this ultimatum ten days before the Yatra started.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 after the \u2018noble aim\u2019 has been inducted, demonstrations and agitation starts.\u00a0 Young boys are at the head of these demonstrations.\u00a0 Whatever separatist leaders say, these are not peaceful demonstrations.\u00a0 There is stone pelting and they are even using slingshots being a deadly weapon.\u00a0 The separatist leaders defend this kind of demonstrations.\u00a0 Even Mirwaiz Umar Farooq justified the use of this kind of violence.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 during these \u2018peaceful demonstrations\u2019 and confrontations with the security forces sometimes demonstrators got killed.\u00a0 Once this happens new demonstrations, this time against the human rights violations committed by the security forces and the killing of innocent people, start, and<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 this is the beginning of a vicious circle: demonstrations, people killed, more demonstrations, more people killed, \u2026.<\/p>\n

Only when there is a call for strike or demonstrations from Syed Ali Shah Geelani people die in confrontations with the security forces.\u00a0 One should not only blame Omar Abdullah for what is going on.\u00a0 Also, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and separatist leaders instigating young boys to use violence against the security forces are responsible for what happens.<\/p>\n

Under Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed, there was a ray of hope.\u00a0 Things were going in the right direction: there was the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, roads across the LoC were opened, there was people-to-people contact.\u00a0 There was no reason for the people to be unhappy or frustrated.\u00a0 It was thanks to these positive developments not because Mufti Sayeed was a magician.<\/p>\n

Since Musharraf was dethroned and the Mumbai terrorist attacks, all came to a standstill.\u00a0 Syed Ali Shah Geelani opposes negotiations, dialogue, and the implementation of CBM.\u00a0 A troubled situation vindicates his stand, he must keep the pot boiling.\u00a0 He also wants to assert that he is the only leader.\u00a0 He goes with his own program.\u00a0 Initially, he was against stone pelting and wanted peaceful demonstrations but the hardliners in his surrounding were angry.\u00a0 Consequently, he had to change his stand and now he justifies stone pelting but still claiming these are peaceful demonstrations.<\/p>\n

The administration made mistakes: they should have imposed curfew after the first killing incident.\u00a0 Eventually, they did it but after eleven more people got killed.\u00a0 All positive developments of the past are washed away.\u00a0 Instead of concentrating on development, most of the energy is spent on the law and order situation.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah failed to connect with the people.<\/p>\n

g. MEETING WITH MR. RIGZIN JORA, MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE, SENIOR CONGRESS LEADER IN LADAKH, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n

What happens now is certainly a planned strategy.\u00a0 It took months to work out this new plan.\u00a0 They are shifting the battlefield on a pattern: then the effort is in Kupwara, then it is in Anantnag, then it is in Sopore, then it is in Baramullah, then it is in Srinagar.\u00a0 Always changing the location of the battlefield.\u00a0 We can call this agitational terrorism or even provocative terrorism.<\/p>\n

There is also a shift in strategy:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 they are promoting civil disobedience;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 they are promoting the new slogan \u2018quit Kashmir\u2019;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 they are using very young boys in the frontline, and<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 militant activities are at low ebb in order to focus on the human rights violations of the security forces.<\/p>\n

Now there is curfew and the situation is under control but I don\u2019t know what will happen when curfew is lifted.\u00a0 I hope we will be able to control the situation and that normalcy will be restored in a week time.<\/p>\n

APHC-M is supporting the initiatives of APHC-G.\u00a0 In the media and comments, much more attention is given to the hardliners and this could give the impression that the moderates are marginalised.\u00a0 However, this is not so, they are very much there and participating in the ongoing unrest.<\/p>\n

As far as development is concerned, there is a lot of progress.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah is a progressive Chief Minister.\u00a0 He has a lot of support from the Centre.\u00a0 Tourism was going to be the best year ever.\u00a0 A good number of people made houseboat and hotel reservations but due to the present uncertain situation many reservations were cancelled.<\/p>\n

In Jammu, the Sangarsh Samiti, supported by BJP and some Hindu fundamentalist movements, tried to give the unrest a communal turn but they didn\u2019t succeed.\u00a0 The people of Jammu didn\u2019t forget what happened in 2008.<\/p>\n

There are no common points between PDP and the Government.\u00a0 The latter blames PDP to incite youth to create problems for the Government.\u00a0 They are sponsored by Pakistan in order to force India to resume negotiations.<\/p>\n

There is no animosity as such between Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.\u00a0 Both are young, educated, intelligent and articulated.\u00a0 Mirwaiz is a part of the new strategy although not having a hand in it.\u00a0 The Kashmiri civil society is so complex: there is double speaking and even triple speaking and this makes it difficult to know exactly the situation.\u00a0 Kashmiris are very volatile.\u00a0 Corruption is all-pervasive, all over the State.\u00a0 This is not being checked enough.<\/p>\n

h. MEETING WITH MRS. KEM LATA WAKHLU, SECRETARY GENERAL J&K STATE CONGRESS PARTY, FORMER MINISTER FOR TOURISM, FORMER MEMBER LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, IN SRINAGAR <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a tremendous confusion, a chaotic situation: things have gone out of hands.\u00a0 One has the impression these mobs are led by any one.\u00a0 Stone pelting is there but nobody knows why: initially it was after a call from Syed Ali Shah Geelani to reduce the duration of the Yatra, then it was against the human rights violations committed by the security forces, then it was against the killing of innocent people.\u00a0 The movement seems to have no direction, they are only out to create this chaos.\u00a0 Youngsters have no jobs, don\u2019t earn money.\u00a0 Now, they get money for this stone pelting and for creating chaos.\u00a0 They are raking up people to keep the pot boiling, to disrupt normalcy.\u00a0 All slogans and propaganda are there.\u00a0 It is more a psychological warfare.\u00a0 Moulana Abbas Ansari, Shia leader and member APHC-M said all is handy work of PDP.\u00a0 PDP President Mehbooba Mufti got furious about this and said he got money from the Government to say this.\u00a0 It is very difficult to know the real truth.<\/p>\n

People are against this Government.\u00a0 Nobody is happy: they haven\u2019t shown any result, they don\u2019t run the State properly, they don\u2019t deliver.\u00a0 People had tremendous hope but got disinterested by now.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah is young, has a vision, is intelligent, was expected to deliver.\u00a0 But nothing special came out.\u00a0 Politicians are blaming each other for things that are going wrong.\u00a0 Some of them are pushing for Governor\u2019s rule but this will even be worse as then the bureaucrats and the administration will have free hand.\u00a0 The bureaucrats are the biggest culprits.\u00a0 They don\u2019t want Omar Abdullah to succeed.\u00a0 They want to topple the coalition Government and the media are playing a bad role as they are raking up communal tensions.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah needs good bureaucrats and he should govern with an iron fist, not the stick and carrot policy he is applying now.\u00a0 We from the Congress Party stressed the futility of what happens.\u00a0 People of Kashmir are sick of violence.\u00a0 The previous PDP-Congress coalition was much better.<\/p>\n

Shops are closed but we get everything including all essentials.\u00a0 Shopkeepers don\u2019t support what happens now they are terrorised by extremist elements.\u00a0 They have their system to continue business.<\/p>\n

There is not a single point of agreement between PDP and the coalition Government.\u00a0 This is not possible as there is tremendous hatred between them.\u00a0 Replacing the present coalition by a PDP-Congress coalition is impossible: the scars of what happened in 2008 are still too raw.<\/p>\n

There is no communal tension unless instigation from outside.\u00a0 Perhaps, there is some communalism in Sopore, the base of Jamaat-e-Islam and the home town of Syed Ali Shah Geelani.\u00a0 In general, for Kashmiris communalism has no chance to rise.<\/p>\n

i. MEETING WITH MUZAFFAR BAIG, SENIOR PDP LEADER, MEMBER LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY AND FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER J&K STATE, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The international community has double standards.\u00a0 They don\u2019t pay attention to the Kashmir issue whereas Palestine gets all attention.\u00a0 The international media keep silent: nobody recognises their protest.\u00a0 The authorities and the security forces are fabricating fake encounters, they are manipulating incidents, they are lying.\u00a0 This results in more alienation of the people.\u00a0 Kashmiris want recognition that atrocities are there, that the security forces are committing human rights violations.<\/p>\n

What happens now is an accumulated sense of hopelessness and despair due to a combination of different factors.\u00a0 There is the failure of the process of dialogue and reconciliation between India and Pakistan and between the Centre and the various stakeholders \u2013 mainstream politicians and separatist leaders \u2013 in J&K State.<\/p>\n

So many initiatives have been taken: behind the scene dialogue, Round Table Conferences and installation of five Working Groups.\u00a0 Not a single recommendation has been implemented: it was a waste of time.<\/p>\n

With Pakistan, there was Track II diplomacy.\u00a0 Had Musharraf not run into difficulties, there would have been an agreement between India and Pakistan.\u00a0 Due to \u2018conspiracy of elements of history\u2019, the probable agreement was aborted.\u00a0 The situation worsened after the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008.<\/p>\n

There is a complete failure of governance from the side of the present coalition Government.\u00a0 The pro-people policy of Mufti Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad was reversed under the present leadership.\u00a0 The dreaded Special Task Force that was disbanded by the then Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed was revived by the present Government.\u00a0 The killing of innocent people was started by that force, not by the CRPF.<\/p>\n

The present Government dispensed the pro-people policy of taking the common people of the State into confidence and thus creating a political buffer between the common man and the security forces.\u00a0 Corruption increased manifold.\u00a0 The administration and the bureaucrats became indifferent to the problems of the people.\u00a0 People\u2019s grievances are not heard.\u00a0 How can they then be addressed?<\/p>\n

A series of human rights violations in which young children were killed took place.\u00a0 The Government\u2019s initial response was to justify and defend the culprits.\u00a0 The Chief Minister displayed indifference and immaturity towards the anguish and pain caused to the bereaved families.\u00a0 From the side of Omar Abdullah there was no reaction, no condolences, no announcement of investigation, no statements of sorry, no punishment of the responsible police officers.<\/p>\n

Boys who grew up with violence are not afraid.\u00a0 They are determined to pelt stones.\u00a0 Nobody can stop them.\u00a0 On the other hand, we may not hide the reality.\u00a0 It is not excluded that ISI, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Taliban exploit the situation although the boys are not motivated or paid by them.\u00a0 I am not ruling out that some leaders are being paid by them and making money out of it, but certainly not these young boys.<\/p>\n

This is a very serious situation.\u00a0 We must find a way out.\u00a0 India and Pakistan must resume dialogue.\u00a0 In India, there are 160 million Muslims.\u00a0 Most of them are illiterate and poor.\u00a0 You can find them all over India.\u00a0 What will happen if Taliban finds its recruits in these masses?\u00a0 This is a problem not only for India and Pakistan but also for the entire world.\u00a0 India and Pakistan, together with the democratic countries of the world must address the Kashmir issue.\u00a0 Negotiations must be result oriented.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let the Kashmir issue be a local problem.\u00a0 It is a problem for the whole region, the whole world.<\/p>\n

There are no negotiations between the separatist leaders and the State Government.\u00a0 For that, they must have the permission of the Pakistani Government and the militant organisations.\u00a0 Apparently, they don\u2019t have this permission yet.<\/p>\n

Besides all the aspects mentioned above, I hold the leaders of Kashmir primarily responsible for the mess in which we are today.\u00a0 It is customary for the leadership of Kashmir to blame mostly the Central Government and sometimes Pakistan, ISI and military of Pakistan.\u00a0 Of course, there are a lot of people in Pakistan who would like to settle scores for the creation of Bangladesh.\u00a0 I don\u2019t deny that they would like to exploit every situation in Kashmir that they can find and in the rest of India.\u00a0 I accept that as a great possibility and probability.\u00a0 But, it is time that we, people who are in politics in J&K State, must accept our responsibility.<\/p>\n

We have failed our people, we have failed the nation and the less we accept our responsibility, we will keep on blaming India, the Indian leadership, the Indian security forces, the Indian army, our own people.\u00a0 We will have conspiracy theories, we will say this happened in 53, that happened in 75, then this happened to autonomy or resolutions, we will say we are not getting enough funds, they don\u2019t trust us, we don\u2019t trust them.<\/p>\n

We have to look into our own hearts and mind and we have to find reasons why we are today caught in this vicious circle.\u00a0 We have betrayed our young generation, we have embodied them into this impossible dream.\u00a0 We have spoken one language in Kashmir, another in Delhi.\u00a0 When we go to Pakistan and when we had meetings with Musharraf we apologised to them for having acceded with India.\u00a0 We say our fathers and grandfathers have committed a treachery because we have acceded with India.\u00a0 We go to Delhi and we speak a different language.<\/p>\n

We have been telling our young generation that you deserve independence, that India is a Hindu country.\u00a0 We have been misleading them.\u00a0 If today our young children are out on the streets and they challenge our police people and security forces, they go and challenge them to shoot them and they are shot at.\u00a0 We are responsible and I don\u2019t know how long we will be responsible for killing our young people and betraying them.\u00a0 A young child of nine years gets killed and I feel responsible, I am responsible.<\/p>\n

I belong to a system which has lead to this situation and we think of small political gains.\u00a0 Even the mainstream political parties are trying to score small political points.\u00a0 We are betraying our own population, our own people.<\/p>\n

These young children are the product of violence.\u00a0 They are born after 1989.\u00a0 They have seen only violence: go, blood, betrayal.\u00a0 Even today, whether they are separatists or they are mainstream parties: we don\u2019t have the collective wisdom or collective courage to go and tell them the truth.\u00a0 We are not prepared to tell them the truth.\u00a0 We have betrayed the nation and our children.<\/p>\n

j. MEETING WITH MR. M.Y. TARIGAMI, MEMBER LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY J&K STATE, SECRETARY J&K STATE COMMITTEE, CPI-M, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Our party asks the State Government to exhibit utmost caution and restraint in its response to the emerging situation.\u00a0 We express deep anguish over the spate of civilian killings across the Valley.\u00a0 We emphasise that the situation should not be seen through the prism of law and order problem, nor as an issue of whether the State police or CRPF is responsible for the present situation.\u00a0 We believe that the blame game between the Centre and the State Government over the civilian killings will drift the situation towards more chaos, and both governments are expected to respond to the situation with a rational and humane approach.<\/p>\n

The present situation is the manifestation of the long pending political discontentment among the people of J&K and demands serious political process, dialogue and deliberations.\u00a0 The political initiatives taken by India and Pakistan a few years ago had undoubtedly given the people of the State a ray of hope but unfortunately, those political processes have come to a halt.<\/p>\n

The peace process started during Manmohan-Musharraf time and the subsequent interactions through Track II and back channel levels had created an atmosphere where flexibility was witnessed in the maximalist attitude of the two countries.\u00a0 Certain confidence building measures were also taken and had a significant impact on the ground.<\/p>\n

The prevalent situation of the Valley yet again should make the Centre realise the importance of initiation of a serious all inclusive political dialogue with the people of J&K we hope the Centre will adopt a pro active approach vis-\u00e0-vis the composite dialogue with Pakistan.<\/p>\n

The State Government with the help of the Centre should address the genuine grievances of the youth, who felt disillusioned.\u00a0 We firmly believe that the people have the right to protest, but they should remain cautious, lest their sentiments can be exploited by the vested interests for their nefarious designs, at the cost of blood of innocent people.<\/p>\n

k. MEETING WITH BHAWANI BASHIR YASIR, FORMER HEAD DIPLOMATIC WING AND FORMER SECRETARY GENERAL JKLF-AMANULLAH KHAN IN J&K STATE.\u00a0 FOUNDER\/DIRECTOR OF THE ENSEMBLE KASHMIR THEATRE AKADEMI, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Every Kashmiri is prisoner of misgovernance, of conscience, of misadministration, of corruption, of have and have not in his own homeland.\u00a0 As long as India and Pakistan are forcibly holding the divided State, as long as their negotiations bear no fruits, there is no guarantee of peace in this sub-continent.\u00a0 When no one listens to you, how can you guarantee peace and a life in honour and dignity?\u00a0 India and Pakistan should accept the entire State of J&K as an indivisible entity.\u00a0 Then the solution will come out.\u00a0 Let the majority verdict decide then their future.\u00a0 Only the unification of the State and the majority verdict on its future is the only way towards a solution.\u00a0 Accordingly, the other problems like setting up an administration, agreements, relations with neighbours, etc. will be solved.\u00a0 It is just a question of political will.<\/p>\n

For me, J&K is a dead State taking into account governance and the administrative system.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see positive aspects.\u00a0 It is a dead State ruled by crippled persons.\u00a0 For me, it is immaterial if PDP, or Congress, or NC is in power.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter, it makes no difference, as all of them have to be loyal to the Centre.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t expect any positive result of negotiations between the Centre and the separatist leaders.\u00a0 If they would enter into negotiations with the Centre nothing will come out as they are commended by Pakistani hegemony, they are not free either.<\/p>\n

There may be some relations behind the curtains between APHC and the State Government.\u00a0 There seems to be a kind of understanding: they are well protected, they enjoy every effort, they enjoy VIP protocol and get the best medical treatment without having to pay for it.<\/p>\n

l. MEETING WITH MR. BILAL LONE, CHAIRMAN J&K PEOPLE\u2019S CONFERENCE AND MEMBER EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APHC-M, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There will be no peace unless and until we understand that Kashmir is a problem.\u00a0 Both sides must cool down temper.\u00a0 The killings should not have happened.\u00a0 We are not at all happy with the present wave of violence.\u00a0 The failure of the dialogue and the peace process is at the origin of this eruption of frustration.\u00a0 It is high time to move forward.\u00a0 India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris must feel that things are moving forward, that progress be made.\u00a0 Until this is done, the problems will remain.<\/p>\n

Development and good governance is fine, but don\u2019t forget the main issue: Kashmir is the main issue.\u00a0 Everyone would fail in the present circumstances: Omar Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad or Mufti Sayeed.\u00a0 Only a change in the status quo can lead to a solution and to peace.<\/p>\n

The problems in the mind and the heart of the people must be addressed.\u00a0 We must keep our mind open: Kashmiris don\u2019t forget the main issue.\u00a0 In addition, the Indian mindset must change.\u00a0 We are not extremists or fundamentalists and we will never accept extremism or fundamentalism.<\/p>\n

To a certain extent, the secret process was on and slowly moving forward but it failed and died a dead in a very initial stage.\u00a0 We are not against a dialogue but it must be result oriented, there must be a time frame and it should not be for the sake of dialogue only.\u00a0 At my knowledge, there are no contacts between APHC-M and the State Government, or between Omar Abdullah and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.\u00a0 It must be stressed here that we are not the only political players.<\/p>\n

m. MEETING WITH PROF. ABDUL GHANI BHATT, CHAIRMAN MUSLIM CONFERENCE, MEMBER AND FORMER CHAIRMAN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APHC-M, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

The situation is what it is: same Valley, same people, same struggle for freedom, same army, same killings, same bloodshed with this marked difference that it is the blood of our youth, of our future.\u00a0 That is the difference between the previous killings and now.\u00a0 Young boys fall to the bullets of the security forces.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah has huge problems to face.\u00a0 I think in a situation like the one obtaining in Kashmir, if you chose an angel to run the country, even he will also have to face the music.\u00a0 It is a huge, complex problem.<\/p>\n

Statements on behalf of the Indian leadership are not encouraging by any standards.\u00a0 They say troops open fire in self-defence.\u00a0 Full-armed soldiers in full-protected dress just can\u2019t open fire on a young boy.\u00a0 The Indian Prime Minister said there should be zero tolerance regarding human right violations.\u00a0 Now he is justifying killing of children in Kashmir.\u00a0 Why this difference?\u00a0 The situation is so embarrassing that even the pro Indian leaders like Omar Abdullah and Mufti Sayeed also endorse the position APHC-M has taken in regard to the solution for the Kashmir issue.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah stated the Kashmir issue is a problem that should be resolved through dialogue between India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris in the interest of the whole South Asian region.\u00a0 What Indian leaders say is insulting for us Kashmiris.\u00a0 Kashmir as a problem needs a solution.\u00a0 The fact of the matter is that you can never think in terms of bringing peace or improving relations between India and Pakistan until the problem is amicably resolved.<\/p>\n

Afghanistan and Kashmir seem to me to be interlinked.\u00a0 India and Pakistan are operating against each other on the soil of Afghanistan.\u00a0 This will cause headache to US strategists in that country.\u00a0 Peace in Afghanistan therefore is unmistakably linked to peace in Kashmir.\u00a0 We will have to resolve disputes: this is why the USA is encouraging India and Pakistan to talk and to resolve disputes as well as preparing to engage Taliban to talk with the Government of Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

If talks between India and Pakistan proceed on a positive note and in the process solutions are worked out, including Kashmir, I suspect vested interests will feel frustrated and create a situation like the one in Kashmir today.\u00a0 Extremist elements are out to undo the efforts that the sensible people put in towards finding as solution to the problem.\u00a0 The Government should come down heavily on them.<\/p>\n

Communalism is absolute no problem as far as Kashmir is concerned.\u00a0 The Indians themselves during the rule of Governor Jagmohan introduced this element of communalism in Kashmir.\u00a0 During his first tenure in 1986, he communalised the atmosphere by stirring up communal frenzy and emotions.\u00a0 During his second tenure in 1990, he communalised, criminalised and commercialised the whole system.<\/p>\n

PDP is not instigating the present wave of violence.\u00a0 In fact, they are angrily disturbed at the turn of events.\u00a0 They don\u2019t want Kashmir going to dogs but understand the Kashmir issue has to be addressed.\u00a0 It is the people of Kashmir that is doing this, it is not PDP.\u00a0 They are up against injustice, killings and Indian hegemony.<\/p>\n

APHC-M had no secret contacts with the State Government or with the Centre.\u00a0 No purposeful contacts have developed between them.\u00a0 APHC-M hopes that a serious dialogue will happen soon: hope maintains people alive and things going on.<\/p>\n

n. MEETING WITH H.E. N.N. VOHRA, GOVERNOR OF J&K STATE, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

My thoughts are occupied entirely by the sad happenings in Kashmir in the past two months.\u00a0 Since early June this year, normalcy of life in the Valley has continued to be disrupted by an unending series of stone pelting protestations, burning of public property and attacks on the law enforcement agencies.\u00a0 These incidents have led to continuing confrontations with the Security Forces and generated a cycle of violence which has resulted in many persons being injured and 47 being killed, many of whom were young men and even women and children. Whatever may have been the why\u2019s and wherefor\u2019s of the obtaining disorder, the loss of lives is an extremely sad consequence.\u00a0 My heartfelt sympathy goes to the families who have lost their near and dear ones in the recent tumult.\u00a0 The Security Forces, whose personnel have also suffered significant injuries, need to revisit their strategies and tactics of crowd control for securing maximum protection of human life.<\/p>\n

The recurring calls for strikes, processions and day to day protestations, by whomsoever given, have resulted in the stoppage of all business, trade and economic activities, with a particularly adverse consequence for those who earn their bread by daily toil.\u00a0 The impaired functioning of the governmental machinery has impacted adversely on the delivery of public services and slowed down the entire developmental process.<\/p>\n

The educational sector has suffered the most irreparable damage.\u00a0 The continuing disturbed environment has resulted in the complete disruption of the academic schedules – schools, colleges, training institutions, and universities have remained closed in the past weeks.<\/p>\n

This year, foreign and domestic tourists had been arriving in large numbers.\u00a0 However, the continuing turmoil brought the tourist activities to a quick end and adversely affected the livelihood of thousands of families who live off the tourist, travel and hospitality industry.\u00a0 With the absence of doctors and paramedical staff, the functioning of hospitals and medical care units has been very badly affected, enhancing the miseries of the sick and the injured.\u00a0 The functioning of the judicial apparatus, upto the State High Court, has also been disturbed.<\/p>\n

The people of Jammu & Kashmir have been concerned, for many years now, about certain issues relating to the State\u2019s relations with the Centre.\u00a0 It is indeed fortunate that our liberal democratic framework allows enormous scope for divergent viewpoints.\u00a0 The various differences can and must be resolved through sustained dialogue and discussion and not through confrontations and violence.<\/p>\n

All necessary steps to restore peace and normalcy must be taken on the most immediate basis.\u00a0 Once normalcy is effectively restored a purposeful dialogue must commence with all those who have been agitating in the past months.\u00a0 The Centre, on its part, would need to early launch and vigorously pursue a sustained political initiative in J&K.<\/p>\n

Like other States in the country, J&K has also been striving to march ahead in all arenas of human and economic development.\u00a0 However, on account of the prolonged period of militancy and recurring internal disturbances the overall development of the State has remained significantly deficient on several important fronts.\u00a0 For achieving the goal of peace, progress and prosperity it would be necessary for all political parties, all the social, cultural and religious organisations, and all other stake holders in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to work together closely and determinedly.\u00a0 It is also necessary that every element of the civil society urgently organises itself to play a proactive role in promoting sanity and harmony.<\/p>\n

Concerted <\/strong>efforts are also required to enhance the functioning of the administrative apparatus and promote honesty, transparency and good governance in every sector of governmental functioning.\u00a0 We must work devotedly to build strong and vibrant Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions in which all our people lead satisfied lives in a harmonious environment, free from hunger, want and fear.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

o. INTERVIEW BY TELEPHONE WITH MIRWAIZ UMAR FAROOQ, CHAIRMAN APHC-M, IN SRINAGAR<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The ongoing protest is a manifestation for freedom and for a political resolution of the long-standing Kashmir problem and not against any religion as is being projected by some news channels and communal elements.\u00a0 Amarnath pilgrims are guests of Kashmiris.\u00a0 Since ages, Kashmiris have been facilitating and will continue to facilitate a smooth Yatra.\u00a0 Our protests are against the human rights violations and unabated killing of innocent civilians by the police and aathe security forces.<\/p>\n

The movement has now passed on to a new generation and they would carry it forward.\u00a0 Our youth are being killed by troopers and cops with impunity.\u00a0 We feel that J&K has turned into a police state and there is complete lawlessness.\u00a0 By trying to suppress the freedom movement by force, New Delhi has already lost Kashmir.<\/p>\n

The youth are forced to pelt stones when their peaceful protests are quelled by use of disproportionate force.\u00a0 If any force is used to sabotage the peaceful protests, the reaction from the people will be harsher and the Government will be solely responsible for its consequences.\u00a0 Youth have taken over the baton of freedom and there is sheer sentiment on the streets.\u00a0 It is high time for people of India to know the truth and understand that our movement is indigenous and for a just cause.<\/p>\n

If the mainstream parties are concerned and serious over the sufferings of people, they should join APHC-M and leave the Assembly politics aside, they should come out of their rhetoric shell and lend support to the resolution of the dispute.\u00a0 No election, no administrative changes or economic packages can be substitute to the right of self-determination of Kashmiris.\u00a0 It is well established that Kashmir is not a military problem.\u00a0 It is a political problem and we are not averse to talks with New Delhi if it released the political prisoners, undertake demilitarisation and revoke the special powers to the security forces.\u00a0 India and Pakistan should discuss the Kashmir dispute on priority.\u00a0 Other issues including water sharing, trade links, etc. can be discussed later.<\/p>\n

I want to maintain that if any member or leader of APHC-M gives any statement, it will be in his individual capacity.\u00a0 Only the APHC-M spokesperson and I are empowered to make statements on behalf of the conglomerate.\u00a0 People want the unity among the pro-freedom camp.\u00a0 They want to see a united leadership.\u00a0 I want to maintain that it is not a leadership issue but giving the right direction to the movement and taking it to its logical conclusion.\u00a0 For the larger interest of the movement, I have been trying to forge unity and I hope it will soon bear fruit.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

p. MEETING WITH NASIR HUSSAIN MUNSHI, COUNCILLOR LAHDC-K, FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR FOR WORKS AND POWER, IN KARGIL<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The behaviour of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is irresponsible:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 He is too young and inexperienced;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t have a consistent policy;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 He is giving premature comments on dramatics events that happen.\u00a0 He makes irresponsible statements.\u00a0 As a result he is backtracking, he has to change his stand, he has to apologise;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 It seems he has no good advisors and if he should have them he doesn\u2019t listen to them or they give wrong advices.\u00a0 The senior NC politicians don\u2019t seem to have any positive input.\u00a0 Also the political advisor to the Chief Minister doesn\u2019t come into the picture;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 While Kashmir was burning, he was enjoying life in Leh.\u00a0 When he returned from Leh he was only a few hours in Srinagar and went then to Gulmarg to enjoy life there, and<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 He is young, intelligent, wants development, has a vision but he doesn\u2019t understand the Kashmiri psyche and that is the most important.\u00a0 He has no contact with the people.\u00a0 How can we expect something from him?<\/p>\n

We also wonder where the other politicians \u2013 Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly \u2013 are.\u00a0 They should be in their constituencies, they should listen to the people, they should bring the healing touch.\u00a0 Now they are just blaming each other and adding to the confusion.\u00a0 They are filling their pockets, making easy money.\u00a0 Nobody is sincere.\u00a0 All parties are playing dirty politics and just looking after their own interests.\u00a0 The mainstream politicians are behaving irresponsible thus alienating even more the common man: he can\u2019t go anywhere with his sorrows and problems.\u00a0 Also the bureaucrats and the administration have to be blamed.\u00a0 There is corruption at all levels.<\/p>\n

There is lack of leadership in Kashmir in the mainstream group and among the separatist leaders.\u00a0 Charismatic, experienced leaders like Mufti Sayeed, Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad are in Delhi.\u00a0 Meanwhile, they are leaving the political floor to the separatist leaders who are filling up this vacuum.\u00a0 Syed Ali Shah Geelani seems to be the strongest leader.\u00a0 Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tries hard to strengthen his position.<\/p>\n

The Government totally failed.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see any positive result.\u00a0 Nothing remarkable has happened.\u00a0 After being 18 months in power, his predecessors Mufti Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad had showed already remarkable and commendable results.\u00a0 They had done very well at the ground level, they where in contact with the people.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah is only inaugurating the projects started by the previous Government.<\/p>\n

For a solution, there should be a common platform.\u00a0 Everybody (the biggest question however is: who is everybody?) should be involved and only then can emerge a solution acceptable to all.\u00a0 Let us start by implementing the recommendations that came out of the Round Table Conferences and that where projected by the five Working Groups.\u00a0 Until date, not a single one has been implemented.<\/p>\n

q. MEETING WITH MR. A. A. K. KACHO, KASHMIR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE RETIRED, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR LAHDC-K, IN KARGIL<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

For us here in Kargil, we don\u2019t see any negative points in this coalition Government, only positive points.\u00a0 We are very happy with the coalition Government and with the ruling of Omar Abdullah.\u00a0 They are very positive with regard to Ladakh in general and with regard to Kargil in particular.\u00a0 There is harmony, the relations are going well and we are tackling our own problems with the support of the State Government and the Centre.\u00a0 We are not creating tensions and what happens in the Valley is not our first priority.\u00a0 The separatist leaders in general and APHC in particular don\u2019t have any power base or support in Kargil although they pretend to be the sole representative of all Kashmiris: we have nothing to do with them.<\/p>\n

There are no communal tensions at all here in Kargil.\u00a0 There are no Buddhists in the city, as a result, there is no need to have a Buddhist temple here: this was already ruled by the court many years back.\u00a0 We have some three Sikh families here, they have their gurdwara and we don\u2019t have any problem with that.<\/p>\n

There should be some negotiations so that the dispute between the \u2018movement\u2019 and the authorities is settled permanently.\u00a0 It can be between the Centre and the separatist leaders, or between the State Government and APHC, or between India and Pakistan, or a combination of these possibilities as long as it leads towards a lasting, peaceful solution.\u00a0 Due to the situation in the Valley, we do also suffer: there are problems with the supply of essential goods, the number of tourists went down drastically.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t want to be punished for what happens in the Valley.\u00a0 We are Kargili: we want peace, development and progress for our district (total district population 120.000, Kargil city population 15.000).\u00a0 Some of the demands are: extension of the airfield from 3.000 feet to 6.000 feet so that larger civil airplanes can reach here.\u00a0 Another demand is a tunnel under the Zojila so that there is road connectivity whit the Valley and the rest of India throughout the year.\u00a0 We also ask the opening of the Kargil-Skardu road across the LoC.\u00a0 The two other regions of J&K State have road connectivity across the LoC, so there should be no problems to open this road.\u00a0 We don\u2019t see where the problems could be.<\/p>\n

The Hill Council is operating in a positive manner.\u00a0 There is no animosity between the majority and the opposition.\u00a0 Every member of the Council is working for the betterment of the people.\u00a0 Kargil is also included in projects and schemes of the Economic Reconstructing Agency (ERA).\u00a0 They supply funds for building a new township as we have space and expansion problems.\u00a0 A lot of developmental and infrastructure schemes are in progress.<\/p>\n

r. MEETING WITH TSEWANG RIGZIN, COUNCILLOR (CONGRESS PARTY) LAHDC-L AND ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF \u2018EPILOGUE\u2019, JAMMU BASED MONTHLY PUBLICATION, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I am not convinced that there are positive results for this State Government.\u00a0 Initially there were many expectations.\u00a0 Everyone thought this young Chief Minister could be able to bring about a change, to stop corruption.\u00a0 Alas, he didn\u2019t make it.\u00a0 In 2009, he faced the Shopian tragedy leading to demonstrations, harthals, strikes, curfew.\u00a0 This year, there is Geelani\u2019s ultimatum to reduce the yatra from two months to two weeks.\u00a0 Again, there are demonstrations, harthals, strikes, curfew.\u00a0 People got killed in confrontations with the security forces leading to more agitation, more victims.\u00a0 This is a vicious circle.\u00a0 The separatist leaders are terrorising the Kashmiris, they are creating chaos.\u00a0 This is an irresponsible behaviour.<\/p>\n

We, here in Ladakh, don\u2019t know what happens in the Valley.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t affect us: it is far away and we have nothing in common, they are totally different.\u00a0 The only negative effect on us is that we have less choice in vegetables.\u00a0 However, this could be turned into a positive effect: now, our farmers cultivate more different types of vegetables.\u00a0 To a certain extent, also tourism is affected although on a very small scale.\u00a0 The Manali road (the link between Leh and Manali situated in Himachal Pradesh) is being improved.\u00a0 Once this is done, we don\u2019t need Kashmir anymore, then we have a direct link with mainland India.<\/p>\n

Kashmir always discriminated and neglected Ladakh.\u00a0 They damaged our culture, our distinct identity.\u00a0 Thanks to the installation of the LAHDC-L, we can decide to a certain extent our future.\u00a0 Here, in Leh district, we Buddhists are an overwhelming majority but on the total population of J&K State, we are just a small minority of less than two hundred thousand.\u00a0 The State Government must give due rights, also to minorities, in the same way as we do here in Leh district with the Muslims being a small minority in this district: we treat them properly, they get their due share, there is no animosity among the two communities.<\/p>\n

Everyone refers to negotiations between the Centre and the State Government and the separatists.\u00a0 But we, Ladakhis, must also be involved in any negotiations.\u00a0 Why should they talk only with those who use violence and create chaos?\u00a0 Being a very small minority in J&K State, we Ladakhis will only be safe if we are granted Union Territory status within India.<\/p>\n

When it comes to politics, it is difficult to come on one platform.\u00a0 We have seen this again on 12 July 2010 when PDP boycotted the call from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, for an all parties meeting.\u00a0 At crucial times, politicians should join hands.\u00a0 PDP boycotted this meeting because they only want to topple this Government, they don\u2019t care about the people.<\/p>\n

s. MEETING WITH MR. THUPSTAN CHHEWANG, SENIOR LEADER LUTF, FORMER MEMBER LOK SABHA, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR LAHDC-L, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

For the time being, I will not participate in any elections but of course, I continue to support LUTF and the LUTF councillors of the LAHDC-L.\u00a0 The council is very upright, honest, not biased, not corrupt, not favouring individuals, not using its power for personal favour.\u00a0 All are very upright and their integrity is above any doubt.\u00a0 There is not much talking but more action.\u00a0 Things have changed a lot here in Ladakh.\u00a0 More money is coming in with the tourists and people are getting more selfish: money and greed.\u00a0 This affects also their political expectations: this could have an impact on the outcome of the next LAHDC-L elections in October this year.<\/p>\n

We got a lot of hope from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah but Congress dominates the coalition.\u00a0 We are hopelessly.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t come to the expectation.\u00a0 He is not able to do what he should do.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see positive points.\u00a0 A lot of money has been wasted, got down the drain.\u00a0 The authorities should be more selective on projects and not just spending money.\u00a0 Here in Ladakh we don\u2019t receive our due share.\u00a0 Distribution of funds should not only be based on population: also surface, distance and accessibility must be taken into account.<\/p>\n

After 1 \u00bd year in power, some concrete steps should have been taken but this is not the case.\u00a0 The State Government should speak clear language.\u00a0 Omar Abdullah has to tackle the situation in the Valley: it is not our business, not our problem.\u00a0 The mainstream, coalition politicians should speak one language and shun from demagogic manipulations.\u00a0 We Ladakhis can\u2019t exist with this kind of society, that is not our way of living: alienation is total.\u00a0 Therefore, our only way out is Union Territory status.\u00a0 Kashmir is total communal, we have every reason to feel insecure under this Kashmir domination.<\/p>\n

Apart from some smaller incidents, there is no communal tension, although the undercurrent is there.\u00a0 We don\u2019t want to disturb peace and harmony, we have to remain together.\u00a0 In Kargil district some 20% of the population is Buddhist, in Leh district we have some 18% Muslims.\u00a0 All over Ladakh region, Buddhists slightly outnumber Muslims.<\/p>\n

Some kind of process is on regarding the Kashmir issue, but the hardliners never will participate in a dialogue: they created the present situation in Kashmir, they want chaos, they must keep the pot boiling whatever happens.\u00a0 They receive their orders from across the border.\u00a0 How can there be a meaningful dialogue if they have a hidden agenda, how can a solution be found if there is no clear initiative, no clear aim, no clear demand coming from the separatist leaders?\u00a0 Even among the mainstream politicians, there is no unity.\u00a0 So many demands are floated: staying with India, going to Pakistan, joint management, self-rule, autonomy, independence, partition, status quo, soft borders, etc.<\/p>\n

The Round Table Conferences and the Working Groups flopped: nothing came out of these initiatives.\u00a0 It is also wrong to focus only on dialogue with the separatist leaders.\u00a0 This is a wrong signal.\u00a0 The democratically elected politicians have the mandate of the people.\u00a0 The separatist leaders must participate in the democratic process, only then we will come to know their real support.\u00a0 In addition, too much attention is given to Kashmir as if only they have demands.\u00a0 Also, Jammu and Ladakh have their expectations but they are completely neglected.<\/p>\n

t. MEETING WITH MR. LOBZANG RINCHEN, PRESIDENT LADAKH BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ladakhis are not happy at all with the present situation.\u00a0 We want separation from Kashmir, we want Union Territory status.\u00a0 We will struggle until we reach our goal.\u00a0 J&K State Government has nothing to give us.\u00a0 Whatever we get is coming from the Centre and we will continue receiving this support from the Centre, whether we oppose or support Kashmir.\u00a0 We have nothing to do with Kashmir.\u00a0 What Kashmir wants is their problem: we don\u2019t interfere in that.\u00a0 If they are heading for self-destruction, that is only their choice.\u00a0 They are floating so many demands: staying with India, joining Pakistan, pre-1953 situation, independence, autonomy, self-rule, etc.\u00a0 They should first sort out what they really want, then this should be given to them.\u00a0 We, here in Ladakh want Union Territory status for the whole of Ladakh: all political parties in Leh support this demand.\u00a0 There should be no problem to give us what we ask.\u00a0 We don\u2019t know what Kargil exactly wants: sometimes they are with us, sometimes they are airing other ideas.\u00a0 They did the same regarding the installation of the Hill Council: initially they were against, now they are so happy with their LAHDC-K.\u00a0 Regarding the claim for Union Territory status it will be the same, they need time to realise what is good for them.<\/p>\n

Our Ladakh Buddhist Association is a non-political organisation.\u00a0 We are only there to defend the interests and the rights of the Buddhists.\u00a0 We support the demand for Union Territory status as this serves the interests of the Buddhists, not because this is a political issue.\u00a0 On the other hand, we don\u2019t interfere in the upcoming elections for the LAHDC-L: we are not bothered whom wins, let the best win.<\/p>\n

There is no discrimination between Muslims and Buddhists in Ladakh.\u00a0 There is no distinction between the two communities.\u00a0 In Leh district, Muslims are free to build houses, they are getting jobs, they are running business.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Buddhists being a minority in Kargil district don\u2019t get the same fair treatment from the Muslim majority population there: they don\u2019t have a cremation ground, they are not allowed to run a shop, they are not allowed to have a place of worship, they are not allowed to repair their temple as the Muslims and the united political parties oppose this.\u00a0 If we wanted, we could do the same here in Leh district towards the minority Muslim community but we don\u2019t: we are peace-loving people.\u00a0 We want communal harmony, not communal confrontation.\u00a0 Since 1947, Muslims rule J&K State, all of them have full support.\u00a0 They are a part of the majority population in J&K State whereas we Buddhists are just a small minority.\u00a0 We don\u2019t get our due share, the Valley dominates us.\u00a0 Minority groups don\u2019t get their due share.\u00a0 There surely is discrimination but because Buddhists are peace-loving people, others take advantage of our tolerance.\u00a0 However, there is a limit, we don\u2019t want to be exploited because of that.<\/p>\n

u. MEETING WITH MR. RIGZIN SPALBAR, PRESIDENT CONGRESS PARTY DISTRICT LEH, COUNCILLOR LAHDC-L, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Presently, the State Government has the full support of the Centre.\u00a0 It is a challenging job due to the prevailing situation.\u00a0 All coalition partners give full support to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.\u00a0 Things improve now.\u00a0 The State Government requested for internal and international dialogue and negotiations.\u00a0 Talks for a resolution and for implementation of more CBM must continue.\u00a0 There must be a solution for the internal set-up of the State and also India and Pakistan must work out a solution.<\/p>\n

Everything was on the right track.\u00a0 Everything was flourishing and the Centre announced many developmental packages.\u00a0 Suddenly, there was this mischievous intervention from across the border resulting in the present situation in the Kashmir Valley washing away all the gains.\u00a0 The positive evolution got derailed and it will take time to put things on track again.\u00a0 As a result, the common people suffer.<\/p>\n

The situation in Kashmir doesn\u2019t concern Ladakh much: it affects us slightly as far as governance is concerned.\u00a0 We wish the situation goes back to normal the soonest.\u00a0 We are not in direct contact with the Kashmir (more than four hundred km away) and it is difficult to know what happens.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have inside information.\u00a0 Only through the media, we come to know, to a certain extent, about the ground situation.<\/p>\n

PDP is a political party being at loggerhead with NC.\u00a0 One can\u2019t expect them to cooperate, as they are an opposition party.\u00a0 Nevertheless, even as opposition party one has responsibilities.\u00a0 They should look at the larger interest of the State and the people.\u00a0 This they are not doing: they are only after their own political, vested interests.\u00a0 On the other hand, NC is not treating PDP as the main opposition party, they don\u2019t give them due consideration, they are blaming PDP for all ills.\u00a0 They are all into politics for their own vested interests.<\/p>\n

Our demand for Union Territory status is based and justified on historical facts:<\/p>\n

– Ladakh was once an independent Himalayan Kingdom.\u00a0 The reign of the Namgyal dynasty lasted until 1842 when the Dogra Maharaja from Jammu annexed Ladakh forcibly into his Dogra Empire.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Kashmir became a part of the Dogra Empire in 1846 when the British colonial power sold the Kashmir together with its population to the Dogra Maharaja of Jammu.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 After hundred years of Dogra rule, Ladakh along with Jammu and Kashmir became an integral part of India in October 1947 when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the \u2018Instrument of Accession\u2019 with India.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 From the very outset, Ladakh\u2019s political merger with J&K, against the wishes of the Ladakhis, did not form any natural cohesion.\u00a0 Except for the Dogra\u2019s suzerainty as a commonality, Ladakh is fundamentally different from Kashmir and Jammu in all respects: culturally, ethnically, linguistically.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 After Sheikh Abdullah, the most popular politician in Kashmir, succeeded in dethroning Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of the Dogra Empire, and shifting the power base of the State from Jammu to Kashmir, the only commonality we had didn\u2019t exist anymore.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Leaders of Kashmir can never be leaders of the Ladakhis and our assimilation with the people of the Kashmir is next to impossible.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Any attempt at handling the Kashmir issue by ignoring the aspirations of the Ladakhis will be counterproductive.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 The solution lies in tackling the problem separately for the three regions.\u00a0 The Government of India should not feel shy of finding out separate solutions for the three distinct regions of the State.\u00a0 We, therefore, strongly demand separation from J&K State and granting of the status of Union Territory with Legislature to Ladakh to protect and preserve its distinct linguistic, cultural, ethnic identity.<\/p>\n

v. MEETING WITH MR. PHUNSTOG NAMGYAL, SENIOR CONGRESS PARTY LEADER, FORMER UNION MINISTER FOR SURFACE TRANSPORT AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Islamist fundamentalists are communal.\u00a0 It is them against us Buddhists and Hindus, us the kafirs, us the infidels.\u00a0 There are also sectarian fights between Shia and Sunni.\u00a0 The situation in Kashmir is quite fluid.\u00a0 Fundamentalism is too much on the rise.\u00a0 They create the problems and they receive assistance from across the border, from extremist, fundamentalist organisations in Pakistan.\u00a0 Their aim is to create chaos in the cities and in the urban areas.<\/p>\n

The Government of India is not coming forward with initiatives for negotiations with the separatist leaders because they are too much divided: to whom should they speak?\u00a0 What should they discuss?\u00a0 The separatist leaders are not at all interested in talks with the Centre: now they are dictating what happens in Kashmir.\u00a0 They exploit the sentiments of the people in the name of Islam and this is not only in Kashmir, it is all over the world.<\/p>\n

The full picture has not come out so far and this makes it a very complex situation:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Mirwaiz wants the right of self-determination;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 NC wants autonomy with pre-53 situation;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Congress Party wants full integration within India;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 PDP wants self rule for a re-united J&K;<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Others are in favour of joint management,<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Some separatist leaders want total independence, and<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 Some other separatist leaders want integration within Pakistan.<\/p>\n

For us, here in Ladakh the situation is clear.\u00a0 We don\u2019t accept one of these proposals: we want completely march with mainstream India by obtaining Union Territory status with legislature.\u00a0 On this, there is a complete unity among the political parties, be it LUTF or Congress Party.\u00a0 If we remain with J&K under a new worked out setup, we will be oppressed by Kashmir just like it is since decades.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t understand why the Centre gave the full six years of tenure of Chief Minister to Omar Abdullah and not half\/half NC\/Congress Party.\u00a0 This is a serious mistake of the high command of the Congress Party in Delhi.\u00a0 In addition, Ladakh doesn\u2019t have representation in the State Coordination Committee.\u00a0 This is unfair: as a result we have no say in the policy making.<\/p>\n

So far, Omar Abdullah couldn\u2019t make much impact on any front: not in the developmental field and corruption is rampant.\u00a0 In addition, he couldn\u2019t handle the present situation and the army had to be called in again.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t succeed in his governance.<\/p>\n

PDP is basically supported by the separatist leaders as we have seen during the Legislative Assembly elections in 2008.\u00a0 There are no common points between PDP and the coalition Government.\u00a0 NC is their main rival.<\/p>\n

w. MEETING WITH MR. TSERING SAMPHEL, FORMER MEMBER NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES, FORMER CONGRESS PARTY MEMBER LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY J&K STATE, FORMER PRESIDENT LADAKH BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

In Kashmir there are elements that could not succeed in imposing their ideology.\u00a0 They are a frustrated lot.\u00a0 They are creating chaos and recently they started a new strategy.\u00a0 People in frustration will always create chaos.\u00a0 They will always find a reason, even small things, to create problems.\u00a0 The State Government was not able to win over the hearts and minds of the people and became the victim of this agitation.\u00a0 They should be serious thinking in revising their policy.\u00a0 A solution should be given for the three regions separately.\u00a0 There are different solutions for each region.\u00a0 If a solution is found for one region, they can focus and put all energy on the other regions.\u00a0 Then they have more time to concentrate on finding a solution there.\u00a0 This is easier than finding a global solution for the whole State.<\/p>\n

Our line is clear: the solution for Ladakh is granting Union Territory status with legislature.\u00a0 This solution is not only in the interest of Ladakh but in the interest of the whole country at large.\u00a0 Ladakh will never accept self-rule (PDP) or autonomy (NC).<\/p>\n

All communal incidents touch to Islamic fundamentalism: extremists exploit emotions against Islam.\u00a0 Luckily, in Ladakh, by and large there is no communal animosity.\u00a0 The foundation of communal harmony is very strong.\u00a0 There are some elements that incite communalism, but they are very few.\u00a0 Shia people don\u2019t eat food prepared by people belonging to another religion.\u00a0 This is an ancient habit, it is a part of their social structure.\u00a0 We don\u2019t consider this to be communal as such.<\/p>\n

PDP is joining hands with APHC to create all these problems.\u00a0 This is an irresponsible, short sighted and undemocratic behaviour.\u00a0 Mufti Sayeed should take his responsibility for the well being of the Kashmiris, not create chaos.\u00a0 He is the senior most politician of Kashmir, he should behave in a responsible manner.<\/p>\n

x. MEETING WITH MR; PINTO S.W. NARBOO, FORMER NC MINISTER OF TOURISM AND FORMER INDEPENDENT MEMBER LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY J&K STATE, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The separatist leaders know very well that their aim (independence or accession to Pakistan) can\u2019t be achieved.\u00a0 They just want to keep the pot boiling.\u00a0 They have vested interests.\u00a0 In their heart of heart Kashmiris realise they are best off with India.\u00a0 Kashmiris know that Pakistan is a failed nation notwithstanding all its assets:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 human resources in Sindh:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 gas reserves in Baluchistan:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 fighters under the Phattan tribal population, and<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0 the best fertile farming area in Punjab.<\/p>\n

If Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is removed and replaced, I am sure that his successor will face the same problems.\u00a0 As long as there is interference from across the border, this will continue.\u00a0 The other side will continue to disrupt normal life in Kashmir, they don\u2019t care about the common people.<\/p>\n

I wonder why PDP is claiming self-rule: they rule already the whole State, including Jammu and Ladakh.\u00a0 They shifted the power base from Jammu to Kashmir right from the beginning.\u00a0 If Kashmir wants self-rule, then what about us in Ladakh, what about our future?\u00a0 We must oppose the threat coming from Kashmir.\u00a0 Ladakh must maintain its position against the severe conditions of Kashmir.\u00a0 We must fight for the survival of our own identity.\u00a0 For this, Union Territory status is the only way out.<\/p>\n

In J&K State, only \u2018state subjects\u2019 (= original inhabitants of the State) can buy property all over the State, be it in Jammu, or Kashmir or Ladakh.\u00a0 Because tourists don\u2019t go to Kashmir anymore \u2013 only terrorists go there \u2013 due to the tense situation created by the Kashmiris themselves, businessmen from the Valley are buying shops, hotels, real estate, etc. here in Leh district.\u00a0 This is a threat to our culture and we need protection against this evolution.<\/p>\n

y. MEETING WITH MR. MOHAMMAD SHAFI LASSU, CONGRESS NOMINATED COUNCILLOR LAHDC-L, FORMER PRESIDENT ANJUMIAN MOIN-UL-ISLAM, ADVOCATE, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The situation in Kashmir is very fluid.\u00a0 It is going a very serious way: on the one hand they are using a kind of Gandhi formula, a kind of civil disobedience and \u2018Quit Kashmir\u2019 movement, and on the other hand they came down from using the bullet and started stone pelting (using catapults and slingshots), damaging and burning vehicles (civilian and security forces), forcing shops and service stations to close down, cutting hair of drivers defying the call for harthals, etc., like \u2018intifada\u2019 in Palestine, provoking the security forces and forcing them to intervene.\u00a0 Pakistan, and especially ISI, are the advisors, the master mind behind this.<\/p>\n

Right now it is very dangerous.\u00a0 The situation can\u2019t be controlled with the gun.\u00a0 The present State Government is weak.\u00a0 They don\u2019t want to take the bad name although in the long run they will be blamed for what happens.\u00a0 If there are no killings anymore, the situation will improve.\u00a0 If not, they will lose all credibility.\u00a0 There should be a tactical move from the side of the security forces to control these so called peaceful demonstrations.\u00a0 The present agitation is out of control of hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who started all this.\u00a0 Now, mobs have taken over the streets.\u00a0 The State Government must implement rule of law.\u00a0 Kashmiris are fed up with all this, they are terrorised by these mobs.\u00a0 Normal life came to a standstill.<\/p>\n

The State Government as a whole is ineffective.\u00a0 NC politicians are used to rule in an authoritarian way.\u00a0 Now, they have to share power with Congress and work out compromises.\u00a0 Senior NC MLA\u2019s are also frustrated because they didn\u2019t get a ministerial post.\u00a0 NC is not that sincere with its coalition partner: in Ladakh they support and pamper LUTF, not Congress.\u00a0 Also in Jammu, they are weakening Congress.<\/p>\n

In Ladakh, there are no communal tensions, except some small incidents not worth mentioning.\u00a0 Some extremists tried to stir up emotions but common sense succeeded in defusing tensions.\u00a0 Buddhists don\u2019t eat meat three days a week.\u00a0 The Ladakh Buddhist Association wanted to impose this rule on the restaurants.\u00a0 This is an unreasonable demand as we have so many tourists in Ladakh.\u00a0 We opposed this demand with success.\u00a0 India is a secular country: those who don\u2019t want to eat meat are free to do so.\u00a0 The same goes for those who want to enjoy it.\u00a0 All this is a question of tolerance and mutual respect.<\/p>\n

J&K State will remain the same, whether there are talks or not, as long as the separatist leaders and the militants have the support from the Pakistani leadership.\u00a0 The whole Pakistani machinery, the army and ISI support the militant outfits and the \u2018movement\u2019 of the separatist leaders.\u00a0 They finance them, they give them logistic support.\u00a0 This is an open secret.\u00a0 Unless Pakistan is honest, there can\u2019t be a solution.\u00a0 Pakistan also has internal compulsions: all mainstream political parties in Pakistan support the Kashmir \u2018movement\u2019 openly.\u00a0 It is in their manifesto.\u00a0 They don\u2019t want the movement to die.<\/p>\n

We have nothing to do with the Kashmir issue.\u00a0 Kashmir creates problems, they are not happy, they don\u2019t know what they want.\u00a0 They should sort out their own problems and future.\u00a0 We don\u2019t follow them in their self-destruction policy.\u00a0 We, here in Ladakh, know exactly what we want.\u00a0 There is only one aim supported by all parties: we want Union Territory status for the whole of Ladakh.\u00a0 We must take along Kargil district in order to strengthen this demand.\u00a0 We must put more effort in discussing with the Kargili people, we must build trust between the two districts.\u00a0 We are sure they will realise that their future lies with Union Territory status for the whole of Ladakh.<\/p>\n

z. MEETING WITH MR. TSERING DORJE, LUTF CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR LAHDC-L, IN LEH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

India can\u2019t handle Kashmir or Pakistan.\u00a0 The Home Minister made a mess of it.\u00a0 India should have cornered Pakistan on terrorism.\u00a0 In stead, Pakistan cornered India on human rights violations in Kashmir.\u00a0 For India, it is more difficult to handle the situation in Kashmir.\u00a0 Although, the demonstrations are not peaceful at all \u2013 they are pelting stones, using catapults, burning cars \u2013 the security forces must show restraint.\u00a0 This is a very dangerous situation.<\/p>\n

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is very nice and doing his best but he is in a coalition and Congress runs the show.\u00a0 They push him in front, he is full of good intensions but it is a very complex situation and he is not experienced enough.\u00a0 His father Farooq Abdullah is very clever, he doesn\u2019t want a change or to take over: now people criticise Omar Abdullah, not himself.<\/p>\n

Omar Abdullah did nothing drastic, nothing new in the economic or developmental field.\u00a0 The Kashmiris are so used to get everything.\u00a0 There is no limit in the packages coming from the Centre.\u00a0 There is an enormous waste of money, they are so corrupt.\u00a0 His predecessor Ghulam Nabi Azad took some measures with limited success, but now corruption is at every level, the sky seems to be the limit.<\/p>\n

There is communalism all over J&K State and even all over India. \u00a0There are a lot of conflicts on regional basis.\u00a0 Jammu and Ladakh are not at all happy with the rule of Kashmir.\u00a0 Ladakhis held a darna (=sit-in) in front of raj bhavan (= Governor\u2019s residence) against the Kashmiri domination and in favour of Union Territory status.<\/p>\n

In a few months there will be Hill Council elections in Leh district: the struggle is between Congress, now in opposition, and we LUTF.\u00a0 Our performance was very good.\u00a0 We must now go to the people and explain them what we did.\u00a0 We spent all the financial support we received from the Centre for developmental packages in a proper way and people feel the change.<\/p>\n

The Hill Council has a huge responsibility.\u00a0 All departments, except police and power supply, are under the Council: agriculture, fishery, forests, horticulture, husbandry, irrigation, social care, health care, education, youth and sports, drinking water, rural sanitation, industries and employment, economic infrastructure, tourism, transport and communication, link roads, information technology, non conventional energy, urban development, etc.\u00a0 All this and much more has to be looked after by the Hill Council.<\/p>\n

For the future, at one time there must be a solution.\u00a0 The maximum India can give is autonomy but the demands of the separatist leaders are much different.\u00a0 They are so divided among themselves.\u00a0 They must first come together and work out a plan, come forward with clear demands.\u00a0 Only then we can start discussing.\u00a0 If they want to keep J&K State intact, their plan must also include the protection and the position of the minorities in the State.\u00a0 India is in a defensive position, only talking, whereas Pakistan is doing something on the ground: they support the separatist leaders, they train militants, they send arms, ammunition, communication equipment, money, etc.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see any light at the end of the tunnel: it will be a very long process.<\/p>\n

This concludes the long list of meetings, visits and interviews.<\/p>\n

3. CONCLUSIONS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

a. J&K, as it was before partition in 1947, is at present under the rule of three countries:<\/p>\n

(1) China: Aksai Chin and a territory of 5.180 km2 ceded by Pakistan to China;<\/p>\n

(2) India: J&K State comprising Jammu-region, the Kashmir-Valley and Ladakh (Kargil and Leh districts);<\/p>\n

(3) Pakistan: Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (Northern Areas).<\/p>\n

The population of these regions is totally different from each other: culture, history, traditions, language, religion, etc.<\/p>\n

b. In order to find a permanent solution a dialogue is necessary on three levels, as we emphasise already since so many years:<\/p>\n

(1) bilateral level: between India and Pakistan;<\/p>\n

(2) national level: between the Government of India, the J&K State Government and the representatives of the civil society of the three regions;<\/p>\n

(3) internal level: between the different regions of J&K.<\/p>\n

c. Priority must be given to end the sufferings of the Kashmiris.\u00a0 This can only be realised by stopping violence and misleading people.\u00a0 They want to have a future and jobs for themselves, for their children.\u00a0 After 20 years of militancy, it is high time to give growing up generations a chance to have a normal youth and education.\u00a0 Violence has been rejected as an instrument for seeking a solution.\u00a0 Pakistan should stop cross-border terrorism and cross-border infiltration, stop sending money, ammunition and weapons, stop giving training.\u00a0 Pakistan decides over peace or violence: as long as Pakistan supports terrorism, openly or covertly, there can\u2019t be peace in J&K.\u00a0 Without peace, there can\u2019t be a solution.<\/p>\n

d. Generally speaking, all agree that the Kashmir Valley is the \u2018core component\u2019 of any permanent solution, and its voice has a dominant influence on the final outcome although no one seriously believes that resolving the Kashmir issue is only a matter of meeting Valley needs.\u00a0 The other regions of J&K and other constituencies of J&K factor equally in the final solution.<\/p>\n

In the end, the resolution of the Kashmir issue is like fitting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.\u00a0 All pieces must fit together at about the same time.\u00a0 So it is to the benefit of Kashmiris from both sides of the LoC to raise voices on achieving an honourable solution at the same time.\u00a0 Accentuating issues on only one side, while ignoring or brushing away problems on the other side, actually helps both India and Pakistan because it ensures that J&K will never emerge as an independent nation.\u00a0 Sure, Pakistan and Valley based separatist leaders can talk about UN resolutions to gladden hearts of their constituencies, but on the ground things will not move by even an inch as has been the case since 1948.<\/p>\n

Independent J&K will not be feasible, even theoretically, unless and until all regions of J&K rise coherently to demand it.\u00a0 So, each region must engage with the other in a civil dialogue with mutual respect and with equal considerations.\u00a0 Failing that the status quo will continue, or worse, the Musharraf formula or a variant will be imposed by India and Pakistan and that will be it,<\/p>\n

e. Corruption adds to the misery, sufferings and alienation of the common Kashmiri and has a destabilising effect on the normal functioning of the civil society.\u00a0 Kashmiris who have responsible jobs in the police, in the judicial system, in the administration, etc. are supposed to look after the well functioning of the society.\u00a0 By indulging into corruption, they are betraying their own compatriots.\u00a0 It is high time that at all levels in J&K State a serious effort is made to tackle corruption.\u00a0 It is too easy to point to the Centre as being the origin of all evils.\u00a0 One should have the courage and the honesty to recognise the shortcomings in the own system and take the necessary steps to redress the situation.<\/p>\n

f. The peace process came to a standstill after the terrorist attack in Mumbai, in November 2008, involving Pakistani nationals trained by ISI and Pakistan Navy.\u00a0 Notwithstanding these hindrances, the composite dialogue must go on.\u00a0 One should not expect a short-term solution, this can only be reached through small steps.<\/p>\n

g. The dissident leaders insist that the Kashmiris must be taken into confidence.\u00a0 This is a justified demand, the question however is who should represent the population of J&K in all its segments and differences.\u00a0 On the other hand, most of these leaders do not have a solution.\u00a0 \u2018Let a tripartite dialogue start and a solution will emerge automatically\u2019, is their view.<\/p>\n

h. The Kashmiri Pandits are the original Kashmiri speaking inhabitants of the Valley.\u00a0 They were hounded out of the Valley by militancy in 1990: some 500.000 of them fled to safer places.\u00a0 This exodus changed drastically the demographic composition of the population in the Valley.\u00a0 After more than twenty years, the return of the Kashmiri Pandits is more and more blurred.\u00a0 Nevertheless, they have their emotional attachment with their birth ground, their roots.\u00a0 They only can return when peace is there and when the rule of law, not the rule of majority is re-installed.<\/p>\n

i. There is no doubt that human rights violations are being committed by the security forces and by the militants.\u00a0 There is also no doubt that not all cases of human rights violations committed by the security forces are disclosed or prosecuted.\u00a0 It is also a fact that the security forces always are blamed if something happens.\u00a0 Dissident leaders do not mention and are not critical on human rights violations committed by militants.\u00a0 On the other hand, security forces should show restraint in controlling demonstrations: firing on unarmed civilians, even if they are pelting stones or attacking them, should be allowed only in extreme situations.<\/p>\n

j. The Kashmiris expected a lot of the Government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah: he is young, has a vision, hard working, honest, listening to the demands of the people and paying attention to their basic needs.\u00a0 The challenges are multiple: eradicate corruption and improve the functioning of the administration, the educational system, health care, etc.\u00a0 Terrorism must be tackled.\u00a0 The government must bring back secularism, mutual respect.\u00a0 Due to the prevailing security situation a lot of energy is spent to redress the law and order situation.<\/p>\n

k. J&K State is a trouble tormented state for the last twenty years.\u00a0 Especially in the Valley, the youth grew up in a violent environment.\u00a0 They grew up with the presence of so many security forces, with encounters between militants and security forces, with search and cordon off operations, with human rights violations committed by security forces and militants, with the calls for strikes, harthals, demonstrations, shut downs, etc..\u00a0 Day by day, they witnessed all this for the last twenty years.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t have a normal environment where youth can grow up to a responsible adult.\u00a0 Violence became a part of their \u2018normal\u2019 life.\u00a0 This includes stone pelting, provocation of security forces: these are the games they learned to play.\u00a0 Even if peace returns and a lasting peaceful solution has been worked out it will take years to re-educate the youth and to bring them about respect for moral values.<\/p>\n

l. It is often stressed that private industries should come to J&K, as they can create many jobs.\u00a0 This is only possible if prospects for a lasting peace are there.\u00a0 Private entrepreneurs only have faith in a peaceful solution.\u00a0 if there is no peace there will be no investment: this goes hand in gloves.\u00a0 Prof. Nisar Ali, senior professor of economics at Kashmir University and a renowned economist of the State believes that the problem of unemployment can\u2019t be solved only by attracting private industries: \u2018The problem of unemployment is basically from the educated lot of the State, who want \u2018white collar\u2019 jobs (= government jobs) and do not consider other options.\u00a0 J&K is the only State that provides government employment to over 500.000 people, highest in the country, while as in other Indian states it is considerably less.\u00a0 The Government therefore has reached its saturation and can\u2018t, realistically, absorb the chunk of unemployed youth.\u00a0 The thing that people here want and consider government job as the final word is really aggravating the problem which needs to be tackled on all fronts beginning from changing the mindsets of the people\u2019.<\/p>\n

p. The cry for the right of self-determination by some parties in the Valley is supported by Pakistan.\u00a0 However, accession to Pakistan is the only accepted option.\u00a0 Indeed, according to the Azad J&K, Interim Constitution Act, 1974, Par 7. (2): \u2018No person or political party in Azad J&K shall be permitted to propagate against, or take part in activities prejudicial or detrimental to, the ideology of the State\u2019s accession to Pakistan\u2019.\u00a0 In this regard the Strategic Foresight Group (http:\/\/strategicforsight.com<\/a> ) stated: \u2018To the outside world, it is projected that Pakistan is supporting a struggle for self-determination for the people of Kashmir.\u00a0 Within the closed-door precincts of General Head Quarters of the Pakistani Army in Rawalpindi, Kashmir has a different meaning.\u00a0 It is most aptly summarised by Syed Salahuddin, chairman of the United Jihad Council, as he often assures the leaders of Pakistan that the Kashmir youth are fighting a war to help Pakistan secure its lifeline (= securing access to the water resources of Kashmir).\u2019<\/p>\n

General (retd) Tariq Nizami, former Secretary of Kashmir Liberation Cell highlighted the real interests of Pakistan as follows: \u2018Kashmir is a primary source of water for the parched lands of the Pakistani peninsula.\u00a0 There are daily reports of the perpetual wrangling between Sindh and Punjab over water sharing.\u00a0 If utter political ineptitude is displayed by the Pakistan government on the Kashmir issue, it would not only lead to Pakistan relinquishing control over Kashmir but would also lead to a gradual secession of Sindh from Pakistan.\u2019<\/p>\n

q. Pakistan has no stand in J&K.\u00a0 Pakistan invaded J&K and is at the origin of the de facto partitioning of the State.\u00a0 As early as 13 August 1948 the UN Commission for India and Pakistan requested Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the State as a pre-condition for organising the plebiscite.\u00a0 The same Commission in its resolution of 5 January 1949 repeated this request.\u00a0 Until this date, Pakistan has not withdrawn its armed forces and consequently the plebiscite has not been held.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Report on the study tour of Beersmans Paul, president of the Belgian Association for Solidarity with J&K to India and the Indian J&K state from 24 June to 21 July 2010. Human Rights Council, Fiftheenth Session, Geneva, September 2010.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-asia-pacific"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7493\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}