Srinagar, May 2: The Supreme Court ruling on Pathribal killings has evoked mixed response in Jammu and Kashmir.
While the separatist groups termed the ruling as “disheartening” for Kashmiris, the mainstream parties welcomed it, but at the same time demanded repeal of controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state.
Reacting to the SC ruling, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said there was no hope of getting justice from New Delhi.
“It has vindicated our stance that getting justice within Indian system is impossible for Kashmiris,” the handout issued by Hurriyat (G) said.
“Those involved in killing of Kashmiris are being rewarded with promotions and rewards,” Geelani said, adding that international community should intervene to investigate war crimes committed in Jammu and Kashmir on pattern of Bosnia.
Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said; “It is sad that justice was delayed and denied. On one hand India is talking of democracy but on the other immunity is given to forces to kill innocent. There is an accountability deficit in their system and every institution is unfair,” Mirwaiz told Greater Kashmir.
Senior JKLF leader Advocate Bashir Ahmad Bhat said the ruling was disheartening for Kashmiris.
“We had pinned hopes on SC but are dejected. Nothing concrete has been done to bring perpetrators to justice,” he said.
Chairman of the National Front, Nayeem Ahmad Khan said it was confirmed now that Kashmiris would never get justice. “New Delhi has once again tried to give a message that Jammu and Kashmir is her colony and whatsoever they like they can do in Kashmir and with its people. People in Kashmir have lost even their slightest of faith,” a statement, quoting Khan, said.
“I want to ask Indian Civil Society one question of a common Kashmiri: Where to go to seek justice now?” he asked.
Khan said the sacrifices of martyrs of Pathribal would bear results in the shape of complete freedom.
Chief spokesman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Naeem Akthar said the SC judgment was a positive step and has at the same time underlined the need that AFSPA was contrary to the aspirations of Kashmiris and should be revoked. “We will have to wait and see the impact of judgment on ground and how it is taken and implemented. Apparently it looks positive in the sense Army has been asked to take action with particular deadline,” he said.
Akthar said the development has underlined that AFSPA had to go. “The revocation has to be done at the political level. Our party does not believe in partial lifting of the laws granting sweeping powers but complete repeal of Disturbed Areas Act and Armed Forces Special Powers Act,” the spokesperson said.
The ruling National Conference spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said that the party would wait and see whether Army goes for court martial or civil court proceedings against the guilty soldiers. “Since the Apex Court has asked Army to come out with their decision, so the best way is to wait and watch,” he said.
The NC spokesman said that accused soldiers should be given exemplary punishment, so that everybody knows that justice has prevailed. “The ruling has once again brought the need for repealing of AFSPA to fore,” he added.
State Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami welcomed the ruling, saying it has given some hope that law violators would be punished. “It is in the interest of Army itself that the law violators are taken to task,” Tarigami said, adding that those involved in staging fake encounters "in the name of security" in Jammu and Kashmir should be brought to justice.
"Governments have to be answerable. Those who have staged fake encounters in the name of the security (of the country), and others involved in it have to be brought to justice”, he said.
Tarigami said people's pressure will force the government to come up with answers in the fake encounter cases. "We know justice will take time but people have the power to force governments to become accountable," he said.
Senior Congress leader Abdul Gani Vakil welcomed the Supreme Court ruling saying the decision would ensure justice to victims. “We have full faith in judiciary of India,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 May 2012 00:00:00 IST