The Hindu : Total understanding with Centre: Mufti

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 28, 2002

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Total understanding with Centre: Mufti

By Shujaat Bukhari

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, during the discussion on the Governor's address in the Assembly on Wednesday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

JAMMU NOV. 27. Despite repeated provocation from the BJP members in the Assembly, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today avoided a confrontation with the Central Government on the issue of prisoners' release and said ``we have complete understanding on how to deal with the situation''.

He announced that a House Committee would be formed to negotiate with the Centre on resolving the crisis in the State.

Winding up the debate on the Governor's address, Mr. Sayeed in his 75-minute speech detailed his Government's roadmap and without referring to the release of prisoners said: ``The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister realise the ground situation and we have complete understanding on how to deal with the situation''.

(Later when contacted by The Hindu, he refused to make a direct comment on the prisoners' issue.) The Mufti said that in the past the Centre had sent its Home Secretary to talk to militants and the Prime Minister had announced a unilateral ceasefire and appointed K.C. Pant as emissary to talk to the separatists. These were good gestures but now when ``we are taking some steps there is criticism''.

Citing examples, he said the All-Party Hurriyat Conference leaders, Syed Ali Geelani, the late Abdul Gani Lone and Sheikh Aziz were released in the past and when Yasin Malik was arrested under POTA the court granted him bail.

The Mufti made it clear that the Assembly had a representative character and it could not be ignored at any level. The Centre should first talk to the elected representatives of the people. ``The House should be taken into confidence first.''

Reacting to the National Conference queries as to why the issue of autonomy did not find a mention in the Governor's address, he asserted that the Centre should first initiate a result-oriented dialogue and ``we should not take the bull by the horns''.

However, he suggested that a House Committee be formed to talk to the Centre on all the issues pertaining to political problems in the State.

``We will persuade the GOI (Government of India) to initiate talks and the appeal will go from here (Assembly)''. ``When Sheikh Abdullah entered into an accord with Indira Gandhi, did he talk about autonomy or the issues you have raised'' he asked the NC member.

The Mufti said the Centre should not indulge in double standards — talk to the NSCN in Tokyo but not to the militants here. ``We are here to make the atmosphere conducive,'' he declared.

Reiterating his Government's Common Minimum Programme, the Chief Minister and said ``we cannot negate the verdict of the people and restoration of peace with dignity is our pledge''. ``It is an act of faith. We are aware of our responsibilities and are concerned about the security situation.''

At the same time, the killing of people by militants was a matter of concern for him. Militants wanted to derail the peace process but ``we will not allow that and I have given specific direction to the security forces to deal with the militants but at the same time human rights violations against innocents will not be tolerated. I once again ask those holding the gun to drop it as violence is not going to solve any problem.''

The Mufti said he was aware of these challenges and ``we can overcome them only when we go together''. He lauded the Congress, the Panther's Party, the CPI(M) and the Independents for their contribution to the formulation of the CMP.

His Government was committed to the policy of giving a healing touch as without this ``we cannot win the hearts and minds of the people''.

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