From: Habib Yousafzai <yousafzai49@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Subject: [bangla-vision] Interlocutors knock at Abbas's open door
To: Bangla-Vision <bangla-vision@yahoogroups.com>, Bangladesh Zindabad <Bangladesh-Zindabad@yahoogroups.com>, Humane Rights Agenda <Humane-Rights-Agenda@yahoogroups.com>
Interlocutors knock at Abbas's open door
Fallout: Hurriyat Suspends Itehadul Muslimeen
MUDDASIR ALI
Srinagar, Apr 20: Repeated assertions that they won't knock at the doors of separatists notwithstanding, the New Delhi-appointed interlocutors Wednesday claimed to have broken ice with a separatist leader and former chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Moulana Muhammad Abbas Ansari, by formally meeting him at his residence.
However soon after the development, Hurriyat Conference (M) headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq suspended its constituent Itehadul Muslimeen (IuM) headed by Ansari for violating the "collective decision" of the amalgam not to meet the interlocutors.
Briefing about the meeting, chief interlocutor Dileep Padgaonkar told a press conference here that the panel met Ansari at his residence to discuss ways and means to carry forward the dialogue process that would lead to a peaceful settlement of Kashmir.
"The discussion lasted for more than an hour. It (meeting) is a success for the dialogue process and for all those people in the state and beyond who want a peaceful settlement of Kashmir," said Padgaonkar, flanked by two other members of the panel, Radha Kumar and MM Ansari.
He is among the founder constituents of Hurriyat Conference and one of the parties which have representatives in the highest decision making body, the Executive Committee. Ansari's son, Masroor Abbas Ansari is the Executive Council member of Hurriyat (M) and has been representing his party in the Hurriyat meetings for past two years.
Responding to a question whether Ansari met the panel in individual capacity or a member of Hurriyat Conference (M), Padgaonkar said: "He met in individual capacity but hoped that other separatists will follow the suit. We were pleased to meet him and the re-assurances he gave to us on carrying forward dialogue process. He favored talks with Government of India, and at appropriate level with representatives of separatist groups."
To a question, Padgaonkar said: "It was the first formal interaction with a top separatist leader. The inter-mediators happen to be friends of both sides." The interlocutors were appointed by New Delhi last October as a "fresh initiative" by Government of India to resolve Kashmir. The panel has been given one year time to come up with a road map for resolving Kashmir.
Ansari, Padgaonkar said, emphasized that "perceptible changes on the ground were required to inculcate the spirit of trust in people. He urged that talks with Government should initially focus on four point agenda of Hurriyat (M). The talks will cover the steps already taken by the Government in this regard and the further steps that are required to be taken to create conducive atmosphere for subsequent discussions."
According to Padgaonkar, Ansari "hoped that Government of India would allow Hurriyat leaders to visit Pakistan to persuade the authorities there as well as leaders in Pakistan administered Kashmir and the northern areas to take them on board for a settlement that will satisfy all stake holders."
To a question on interlocutors' claim that security forces were a major stakeholder for Kashmir resolution, Radha Kumar said: "We see security forces as stakeholders in the context of arriving at overall political settlement to Kashmir. It is important to take them on board and discuss the final settlement. They need to be on board for discussing re-location and re-deployment."
She said: "In a functioning democracy all important departments give their inputs to the Government. We don't have a dictatorship form of government," she said.
She was supported by Padgaonkar. "There (security forces) inputs will matter for resolving the issue. If militants have some suggestions and they want to give up the arms, we are ready to listen to them."
He termed assassination of Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah as a shock to peace-loving people. "He was a man of peace and favored political dialogue for resolving Kashmir," Padgaonkar said.
To a question, Padgaonkar said they had met Moulana Shah. "But the meeting was confined to education matters and his desire to set up a university."
About the 2-day Roundtable Conference held here, Padgaonkar said the participants had 'strongly emphasized their commitment.'
Earlier, the interlocutors also visited the residence of Chairman Peoples Political Front, Fazl-Haq Qureshi, who is also an Executive Committee member of Hurriyat Conference (M).
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Qureshi said one of the interlocutors Radha Kumar asked for his suggestion on solving Kashmir issue.
"I told them that I am not in a position to talk as my health condition is not good. And I made it clear to them that our party stands by the decision taken by the Hurriyat Conference."
ITEHADUL MUSLIMEEN SUSPENDED FROM HURRIYAT (M)
Meanwhile, taking strict action against Ansari, Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said: "Ithad-ul-Muslimeen has violated the collective decision and we have decided to place its membership under suspension. We will be seeking an explanation from the party in this regard," he said.
Hurriyat, he said, was not against the dialogue process. "But it should happen at certain level. We have already made our four-point agenda clear for any kind of talks. Besides, Hurriyat has been giving suggestions for past six years. There is no response from other side," Mirwaiz said.
--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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