Srinagar, Nov 25: The appointment of interlocutors on Kashmir by New Delhi on Thursday received stiff opposition from unexpected quarters: The major partner in the coalition government, National Conference termed the interlocutors as “new and strange persons” saying their appointment was unacceptable.
“Delhi has always betrayed us. The accords and promises made by Delhi were never kept. They always backstabbed us. Now some new persons have been appointed as interlocutors and given the Kashmir task. They are strangers. We don’t know them and we will not talk to them,” said senior National Conference leader, Mustafa Kamal while addressing party activists at Nawa-e-Subha here.
“Time and again,” Kamal said, “Some political persons were appointed by New Delhi to hold talks on Kashmir issue. But today they are all together new faces.”
This is not for the first time that New Delhi’s initiative to appoint the 3-member team of interlocutors on Kashmir to seek ways for its resolution has invited criticism.
The pro-freedom parties had strongly rejected their appointment. Even some New Delhi based parties and leaders had termed the appointment of non-political figures as non-serious approach of government of India towards resolving Kashmir.
Regarding the party political stand on Kashmir, Kamal said they would “not budge an inch” on their demand on Autonomy for JK.
“For them (New Delhi) Autonomy is like a bone that had got stuck in their throat. We want restoration of pre-1953 position. Jammu and Kashmir should be a bridge between the neighboring countries, India and Pakistan.    
He blamed New Delhi for development of gun culture in Kashmir. “They are equally responsible for introducing Gun in Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan are now taking advantage of the situation in the state,” he said.           
The statement by Kamal on interlocutors didn’t go well with other NC leaders present on the occasion with senior party leader and Minister for Rural Development saying it was Kamal’s personal view.
“He is a senior party leader. These are his personal views,” he asked when asked by reporters to comment on the statement by Kamal.
The NC leaders asked the party activists to get ready to observe the death anniversary of late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.
“There will be a massive rally. I appeal to you to make it a success by your participation,” said NC leader and minister of state,” said Nasir Aslam Wani.
He said some new development schemes by government were in offing.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST