The Hindu : We'll consider Hurriyat proposal: Fernandes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 21, 2002

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We'll consider Hurriyat proposal: Fernandes

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR JUNE 20. The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said here today that the All-Party Hurriyat Conference proposal of "sending the troops back to the barracks'' and allowing its leaders to visit Pakistan would be taken into consideration by the Government. He, however, ruled out an immediate withdrawal of troops from the borders and said, "We will watch the situation.''

After attending the inaugural of a three-day seminar `Kashmir Vision - 2020', Mr. Fernandes, when asked about the proposal put forth by the Hurriyat chairman, Abdul Gani Bhat, on Wednesday, said it would be considered. "Is par socha ja sakta hey aur is par socha jayega'' (It can be considered and will be considered), he said without elaborating. (Prof. Bhat had proposed that all the troops be sent back to the barracks and Hurriyat leaders allowed to visit Pakistan for consultations with militant leaders to facilitate a ceasefire).

The Minister said militant activity in Jammu and Kashmir was continuing, but infiltration had almost come to an end.

Asked about the situation prevailing along the borders, he said "it is too early to say something about that because our past experience with Pakistan tells us to wait further''. He, however, ruled out the withdrawal of troops from the borders and said, "as along as we need, they will remain there."

On the presence of Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Mr. Fernandes said, "they are there and we have the proof. But it takes time to give proof in that case". He said "the training camps across the border do exist but there has been a change in the pattern, especially after September 11. Earlier, they used to be permanent but fearing attacks in view of the changed situation, they keep on shifting them here and there". He said the security forces had been engaged in fighting militancy to normalise the situation and they would continue to do so.

Earlier speaking at the seminar, he ridiculed those levelling charges that there was a huge army presence in the State and said the army had been in the State since 1947 and had made many sacrifices to protect the lives of the people and defend the sovereignty of the nation. He assured full support to the State from the Centre.

The Governor, Girish Chandra Saxena, having a dig at Pakistan for stating that Kashmir runs in their blood, said "it is the Kashmiri here who is bleeding''. Unless Pakistan shunned its aggressive and hostile attitude, it was impossible to have normal and friendly relations with that country. The Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Omar Abdullah, and the State Industries Minister, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, were present on the occasion.

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