Srinagar: Awami Itehaad Party (AIP) president and MLA Langate, Engineer Abdul Rasheed Sheikh on Wednesday said that no talks can be successful to resolve the Kashmir issue until Pakistan and militants are not taken on board. Rashhed during his meeting with Dineshwar Sharma, the Government of India’s (GoI) appointed interlocutor said that Delhi also needs to soften its stand. 

Er Rasheed appealed New Delhi to give up arrogance and unrealistic attitude and understand that there are no shortcuts to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The only respectable, dignified and universally accepted way is to give people of Jammu and Kashmir Right to Self Determination on both the sides of LOC,” he told the newly appointed interlocutor.

During the meeting, he reiterated that confusion whatsoever lies in New Delhi not among Kashmiris and it is for New Delhi to decide whether it wants to resolve Kashmir dispute once for all for achieving durable peace and prosperity in the entire subcontinent.

Er Rasheed made it clear to Sharma that without including all stake holders including Pakistan and militant leadership in the talks, nothing can be achieved.

He added that while even kids and eighty years old veterans are being booked under draconian laws, Kashmiris have a right to know why they were subjected to forced labour for one and a half decade in various parts of the state including Bandipora, Langate, Kupwara and Uri at the hands of security forces and why do every time those wearing uniform go unpunished who have committed heinous crimes under the garb of curtailing militancy in the state.

Rasheed said that humiliating Kashmiris, pressurizing them by using NIA and ED as tools to suppress their genuine voices and denying human rights to people will complicate the problem further.

Er Rasheed asked Sharma “If neither New Delhi wants to implement UN resolution nor is interested in tripartite talks, where does the solution lie. New Delhi must make it public what is the solution it has to offer to the other two parties, if it doesn’t believe in UN resolutions. Seeking plebiscite doesn’t necessarily mean that people of J&K want to be part of Pakistan. If New Delhi sincerely believes people of J&K to be its own people and has made huge investments from 1947 till date for the welfare and prosperity of people of the state, then it must not run away from plebiscite. By doing so resolution of Indian parliament claiming entire J&K to be India’s integral part may also be fulfilled”.

 “Kashmiris are most desperate to establish peace in J&K and want an end to bloodshed but nothing is in their hands. How can Kashmiris be held responsible for violence if seven lakh Indian troops have not been able to check the alleged infiltration across LOC and if state agencies continue to use disproportionate force and curb peaceful political activities, there has to be an anger and sense of alienation on the ground. Let New Delhi understand that doing every damn and unpleasant thing in the name of curbing militancy and antinational elements and for the sake of  so called national interest is totally unacceptable,” the independent lawmaker said.

Er Rasheed also raised a strong objection to involve every ‘Tom Dick and Harry’ by calling them as so called stake holders.

 “Let New Delhi restrain from giving J&K dispute a communal color and recognize the fact that there is no alternative to address the sentiments and aspirations of people of J&K. One needs to realize that there are divergent viewpoints in every political dispute and ultimately it is the historic facts, promises and will and wishes of the majority of the population that has to prevail, as such Kashmiris should not be seen as enemies of India. Hence trying to dilute Kashmir issue by making everybody a stake holder and encouraging a regional, ethnic and communal divide is unacceptable. While majority community has always desired Kashmiri Pandits return to valley, it is a section of Kashmiri Pandits who are not interested in returning back as they are having many vested interested in being called migrants. Govt. of India must also facilitate the honorable return of hundreds of those families who were forced to migrate to Pakistan and Pak in Karnah, Karen, Gurez, Uri, Rajouri, Ponch and other districts. It is unfortunate that nobody speaks for them and whole India is worried about Kashmiri Pandits. The fate of ‘Jail returns’ is much miserable and the so called rehabilitation policy of ex-militants has proved a disaster”.

Er Rasheed also expressed deep displeasure over harassing the militant families and vandalizing the properties of their families and kiths and kins.

He also demanded unconditional release of political prisoners including Masrat Alam, Aasia Indrabi, Qasim Faktoo and many others languished in various jails since long time.

Er Rasheed also made it clear to the interlocutor that people of the state are least bothered who rules the state and said that whether BJP or NC or even Huriyat rules the state it does not make a difference unless Kashmir issue is resolved.

He reiterated that people of J&K have not sacrificed for restoration of Autonomy and those talking Autonomy as a permanent solution are living in fool’s paradise. He added if autonomy had been the solution then why was it snatched by New Delhi by gradually making constitutional erosions.

Guest