“Hurriyat Conference involvement unavoidable”

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR (22 Dec. 2010): The Centre's interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday said there was a common ground in all the regions of the State for a peaceful settlement of the issue. One of them maintained that reaching out to the All Parties Hurriyat Conference was unavoidable as they are a major stake-holder in the process.

The interlocutors, Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M.M. Ansari, arrived here Tuesday on a two-day visit after spending four days in Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch.

Speaking to The Hindu, Professor Kumar said it was premature to reach at any conclusion at this stage as “we have begun the process of consultations across the State. But the meetings we had during past two months were fruitful to lay the foundation for a comprehensive process.”

Advocating the involvement of the Hurriyat Conference, she said “reaching out to them is unavoidable as they are the stake-holders in the process.” Asked whether they were in touch with them, she said, “yes.” However, she was cautious in saying whether the indication from them (both hard-line and moderate) was positive. “I have a sense,” she said.

Professor Kumar said that during their visit to the Kashmir University they suggested an open conference with students and teachers to discuss human rights and a political solution. “I think we can do that forum in January,” she said.

Earlier in Jammu, the team members briefed the media about their visit. They said there was a yearning in all the three regions for a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue.

“This is one common finding we came across in all the three regions of the State during our three visits to various parts of the State,” Mr. Padgaonkar said. “The second common finding is people want a solution that responds to their politico-socio aspects and is acceptable in all the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir.”

However, the dominant demand, which came up during their interactions in Jammu region, was effective devolution of political, developmental and financial resources and powers.

“Wherever we have been, a demand of people is that their basic needs be addressed with effective devolution of political and financial powers. People demand that they should be empowered at every level,” he said.

He asked the media to be patient with understanding the complexities in the State. People should clarify what they really wanted. “Whether it is “azadi” or something else, we can not make much progress if we don't move from slogans to substance,” he said.

With the success in opening more and more channels of communication, the team members are planning to visit all the district and tahsil headquarters in future.

(Courtesy : www.hindu.com)