Hurriyat favours Indo-Pak joint management of Kashmir

Srinagar, India, July 23, IRNA - In a significant move moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference said that the alliance was ready to take positive initiatives for dialogue with New Delhi if India responded to its six-point formula constructively.

Among other things, the formula includes self rule, and a joint management commission, but it is not clear whether the addition of the clause “resolving the Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people” is an after-thought or a reflection of the trepidation and confusion in the Hurriyat leadership.

It has yet to make clear whether self rule and joint management are interim steps, or a final state - the phrase about Kashmiri aspirations being wholly superfluous in the latter case.

Referring to the fresh drive launched by it, the Hurriyat (M)’s executive member and former chairman of the alliance, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, said that the conglomerate had already made it clear that it would not sit silent, but take its agenda and program to every town and village.

“The purpose of the drive is to maintain and strengthen contact with the masses,” Prof Ghani said, referring to the Hurriyat (M)’s effort to break the curbs imposed by the government.

“The Hurriyat favours talks in principle, but the talks should be purely on Kashmir, and be meaningful and decisive,” he said.

“We have held talks, and our case is strong. No one should have any doubts on this,” he added.

“We have put a six-point formula before the government of India which includes release of detainees, repeal of draconian laws, troop withdrawal, free cross-LoC movement, promotion of cross-LoC trade, self-rule, a joint management commission and resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” he said.

“If India moves forward with a positive mind on this formula, the Hurriyat Conference, too, will take positive initiatives,” he said.

“The Hurriyat is not afraid of talks and will never run away from the process. Whenever talks are held, the Hurriyat will talk solely on the resolution of the Kashmir issue,” he said.

Referring to talks between India and Pakistan, Prof Ghani said that both countries would have to take Kashmiris into confidence for solving the Kashmir issue and devise a solution strictly according to the wishes of the Kashmiris.

“No solution ignoring the Kashmiri people will be acceptable. Kashmiris will not accept a solution thrust on them,” he said.

Prof Ghani expressed severe resentment at the government’s curbs on the separatist leadership, saying that such steps were being used to exacerbate the situation.

“If the government of India is serious, it should take serious and concrete steps for peace in the state to create a conducive climate for talks,” he said.

“The Kashmir issue is echoing at the international level also, and during her tour of India, the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has urged both countries to include Kashmiris in the talks process,” he said.

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