Next round of talks this week: Hizbul

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR AUG. 6. Even as the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) today alleged violation of the ceasefire by the Army in certain areas, it said that the next round of talks will be held any time this week.

Clarifying about Saturday's scheduled meeting of Hizbul commanders with security officials, a HM spokesperson said some commanders were not present in Srinagar. ``Following the first meeting of August 3, the field commanders had to go to their respective areas to make a spot assessment and could not make it to Srinagar in time on Saturday,'' he said.

Since it is imperative to hold consultations with the commanders for an effective implementation of the ceasefire, it was decided to defer the meeting.

The Hizbul spokesperson said it had taken up the ceasefire offer with sincerity and was aware of its responsibilities. The Hizbul appealed to other militant outfits also to join the ceasefire.

`Ceasefire violated'

The HM's commander, Masood, told a local news agency that despite the ceasefire, many Hizbul commanders across the Valley were being harassed. Describing this as a violation of the ceasefire agreement, he said that in Gool Udhampur, Shabir Ahmed of Arnas was shot dead by the Army, while in Marhama Kulgam the troops of 9 Rashtriya Rifles beat up the people.

In Moolo Chitram, Turka Wangam, Sheikhpora, Dangerpora and adjacent areas, the troops from Ahgam and Arihal targeted civilians, he alleged. In Srinagar' Chattabal area too the Task Force and Army harassed relatives of Hizbul militants; and in Kangan and Gotlibagh the Army has been pressuring the militants to surrender.

These developments, commander Masood explained, had forced the commanders to rush to their areas for stock-taking, and hence they could not make it to Saturday's round of talks.

Kaushal arrival today

Meanwhile, official sources said that the Special Secretary from the Union Home Ministry, Mr. M.B. Kaushal, who is heading the Centre's team of negotiators, is expected to arrive here on Monday to have the next round of talks with the Hizbul team headed by Mr. Saifullah Khalid.

However, it is not known if Mr. Kaushal will work out the modalities on his own or allow the security force officers to have a technical session with the Hizbul commanders.

Mr. Kaushal's team will have the Principal Secretary (Home) of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. C. Phonsoung, and representatives of security agencies as members, and Mr. Saifullah will be assisted by the six HM commanders operating in the Valley.

Despite the August 8 deadline set by the Hizbul chief, Syed Salahuddin, for carrying on with the dialogue on the condition of Pakistan's involvement, the organisation's Srinagar chapter seems serious on taking the issue to a logical conclusion. This, despite the fact that the separatist All-Party Hurriyat Conference has opposed the ceasefire and subsequent dialogue. ``It is a broken step and cannot lead anywhere,'' commented the Hurriyat chief, Prof. Abdul Gani Butt.

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