Srinagar, Nov 19: A prominent religo-political party of Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Thursday advised the Kashmiri leadership to stay away from much hyped dialogue and “quiet diplomacy” which he said was a political death trap.
“We warn the pro-freedom leaders against holding dialogue and quiet diplomacy with New Delhi. India will use it as a ploy to crush them and as a weapon to eliminate them from the current political scenario” SAD President, Simranjit Singh Mann told a news conference here.
Singh said Kashmir leaders before moving ahead should look into the past. “Sikh and Naga leadership lost popular support after entering into a dialogue with New Delhi. Kashmiri leadership needs to show maturity and remain cautious at this crucial juncture,” he said and added that offer of talks by the Government of India as it is a trap for their political death. The Sikh leader asked the pro-freedom leaders to set an agenda before entering into any process. “They will be ruined if they don’t have an agenda,” he added.
Before initiation of talks, he said, India should restore pre-1953 position in the state which would help in earning peoples’ trust and would also make situation conducive for talks.
“Kashmir issue should be resolved as per the wishes of its people and the local Sikh population should also be taken into confidence,” he said.
Demanding that the Sikhs be given minority status in J&K, Mann said they stayed put despite all odds  and didn’t migrate from the Valley.
Commenting on the Chattisinghpora massacre in which 36 Sikhs were killed in March 2000, he said, “The carnage was orchestrated by Army and the guilty were never punished.”
He said the Shopian double rape and murder case would also “meet the same fate and the guilty would never be punished.”
Singh flayed the state Government for repeatedly arresting the ailing Hurriyat Conference (G), Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani. “This will not weaken the struggle but will make it strong.”
The Sikh leader demanded revocation of the special powers enjoyed by the troops. “These powers encourage them to commit human rights violations,” he added.
Singh castigated centre for constructing dams in Punjab. “These dams should be monitored by the United Nations,” he said, and warned that the war over water could be more dangerous than the nuclear war.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST