The Hindu : Kashmir panel 'severs link' with convener

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

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Kashmir panel 'severs link' with convener

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI FEB. 25. The Kashmir Committee today terminated its connection with its convener, Ashok Bhan, for his statement last week that the Committee had ceased its activities following the appointment of N.N. Vohra as the Centre's interlocutor for Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued today, the Committee chairperson, Ram Jethmalani, Rajya Sabha MP, said that it ``welcomes the appointment of Mr. Vohra as the Government's interlocutor but it does not believe that its role is exhausted by this appointment.''

The Committee, the statement said, was extremely unhappy about the announcement by its convenor, which it disowned immediately.

There was unanimity of views in the Committee that ``it is imperative in the interest of the country that it should vigorously pursue its objective of finding and facilitating a peaceful, honourable and lasting solution of the chronic problem of Kashmir'' the statement said.

It added that the committee would continue to promote dialogue with all ``relevant elements within and outside the country.''

Mr. Bhan, making the announcement on Saturday claimed to be speaking for the entire committee, although its members, including lawyers Shanti Bhushan and Fali Nariman, and journalists, Javed Laiq, M.J. Akbar and Dileep Padgaonkar, had not been consulted.

Mr. Bhan today said his sacking from the committee was not justified. My own perception is that the Government appointed interlocutor needs to be given time, if he falters and fails we can resume our activity.

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