The Hindu : Lone's killing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 23, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Lone's killing

Sir, — It seems that India's multi-faceted strategy to coerce Pakistan into stopping trans-border terrorism has to be revised and prioritised in the wake of the assassination of the Hurriyat leader, Abdul Gani Lone.

The killing, on the one hand, has shifted the focus of the Indian think-tank to the precariously simmering internal law and order situation in Kashmir and, on the other, it has jeopardised the official efforts of restoring the trust of the alienated segments there.

These, clubbed with the existing imperatives, have cast dark clouds over the conduct of free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

India, in the absence of substantial international support, has to adopt a cautious policy approach towards Pakistan, avoiding further alienation and futile jingoistic postures vis-a-vis Pakistan.

Manasvi Sharma,

BHU, Varanasi

Sir, — The killing of Lone will certainly cast a shadow on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. He was a moderate among the separatists in the State.

He advocated a tripartite dialogue on the Kashmir issue with Kashmiris as the third party.

His brand of Kashmiri nationalism played a vital role in silencing the pro-Pakistani terrorists. He was peaceloving and against terrorism.

His killing will definitely benefit the hardliners and encourage the separatists in the State.

R. Devanath,

Tirupati, A.P.

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