Srinagar, Sep 22: A day after interlocutors, appointed by New Delhi to hold discussions with various shades of opinion in Kashmir, stated that that they would propose resolution of Kashmir issue within the ambit Indian constitution, separatists termed their exercise as “futile,” while mainstream parties sounded pessimistic about their final report.
 The chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that it had vindicated his stand that appointment of interlocutors was a “futile exercise.”
 “We have been saying from the day one, it was nothing more than wastage of time aimed at hoodwinking international community and it has been proven now,” he said, adding that they would not accept any solution within the ambit of Indian constitution.
 Geelani said they also reject other roadmaps and concepts like Musharraf’s four point formula, self rule and autonomy.
 “Our only demand is that people of Jammu and Kashmir should be given right to self determination to decide their fate. We are not demanding it only for Valley, but for entire JK,” he said.
 Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq too echoed the same views
 “Any solution with constitution of India is not acceptable to us. The only ways to address the issue is either by implementation of UN resolutions or by dialogue between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris,” he told Greater Kashmir from New York over phone.
 “If you are looking for an out of the box solution than an arrangement has to be worked out outside the constitutions of both the countries,” he added.
 Mirwaiz said solution within the ambit of Indian constitution does not include Pakistan administered Kashmir.
 “We want a solution which will include the entire state of JK as it existed on Aug 14, 1947,” he said, adding that they have done right by not talking to the interlocutors.
 Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik said, “What they will write and recommend in the report is immaterial for us. In the beginning only we had decided not to meet them,” he added.
 President of opposition Peoples Democratic Party Mehbooba Mufti too sounded pessimistic about the outcome of interlocutors’ final report.
 “It is premature to comment on it at this juncture. But they couldn’t engage voice of dissent and consensus can only be arrived, when there is endorsement to it  from all quarters,” she said.
 National Conference Member Parliament from south Kashmir Dr Mehboob Beg said solution to Kashmir issue can only be found when all the parties would move beyond their static position.
 “This time, I wish they (interlocutors) should submit the final report as quickly as possible. We can only comment when its contents would be out. It is positive that they have asserted that they will incorporate the views of separatist groups despite not talking to them,” he said.
 Pertinently, New Delhi had appointed three member panel of interlocutors, comprising veteran journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and former Information Commissioner M M Ansari, at the fag end of last year’s summer unrest in October 2010.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST