Lots of skepticism followed the initiative of appointing three interlocutors for evolving a road map for the resolution of Kashmir. This was founded in the general understanding of people about how New Delhi is thought to be dealing with this issue. But the team of interlocutors after meeting some sections of the society sounds optimistic.  It would be too early to say if the after completing its task on ground the group succeeds in preparing a document for New Delhi that could help in finding an amicable settlement of the ‘dispute’. Or like many other earlier initiatives that also had thumping start this one also dies with a whimper. The two visits so far undertaken by the team, seen in right perspective suggest that these have been engagements for establishing credibility and setting a tune for generating  atmosphere for  engaging the civil society and the state leadership in a process that would help them to put up recommendations based on ground realties. The team has been endeavoring hard to address to the political sensibilities of organizations and leaders that have been espousing the “cause of right to self-determination” and were spearheading the recent five months long agitation. Pleading for a role for Pakistan in finding an amicable solution to the Kashmir problem on Sunday at a press conference in Srinagar Prof. Radha Kumar, one of the three interlocutors said; “Engaging Pakistan for solution of entire former princely state is a necessity (for India). Pakistan   is in control of large part of Kashmir”. Reiterating what former Pakistan Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and President Parvez Musharraf had said some months back that India and Pakistan were close to building a framework for political settlement of the dispute the lady interlocutor emphasized the need for resumption of the process from where it was left then. It may be premature to comment on this if there was a scope of reinitiating the dialogue between India and Pakistan on the dotted line of four point formula but what merits consideration by the State government is creating a an atmosphere that would enable the team  to carry out its study with objectivity.  It is indicative that the team in the first report it submitted to Prime Minister and Home Minister was suggestive of creating conducive atmosphere in the State that could facilitate the work of the interlocutors; Prof. Radha Kumar calling for the need of creating a positive environ stressed that solution of Kashmir could not be achieved without making ‘changes on the ground’. Though she did not elaborate as to what she meant by bringing in changes on ground but it is suggestive that the team favors repealing of the much hated laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Disturbed Areas Act, removal of armed forces bunkers and camps from civilian areas; about release of detunes though she was emphatic. There are no credible details available about the number of political leaders, youth and students under detention in various jails within and outside the State but fact of the matter is that during past one year a larger number of senior and middle rung leaders of the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference, members of Kashmir Bar Association, including its president, youth and students were arrested and detained under Public Safety Act and other laws.  If New Delhi is serious in its appointment of interlocutors for making a new beginning in the State it needs to learn a lesson from the past initiatives. In the wake of 1964 Holy Relic agitation when New Delhi    restarted  dialogue process with Pakistan for settlement of the Kashmir dispute by sending Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, it not only released Sheikh and hundreds of Plebiscite Front workers from jail but also withdrew all cases against them including the Kashmir Conspiracy Case and Hazratbal Murder case. So is true about the initiation of dialogue between envoys of Mrs. Gandhi and Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah after the 1972 elections. Much before the process of dialogue the State created a conducive atmosphere for the dialogue by restoring the freedom of expression, releasing all prisoners arrested under Preventive Detention Act (PDA) and   withdrawing cases of subversion against youth and students.  To make a beginning for creating a desired atmosphere that could facilitate resolution of the problem government should release all prisoners and withdraw cases against students.    

Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST