The Hindu : Hawks on Kashmir issue weakened: Tarigami

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 17, 2003

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Hawks on Kashmir issue weakened: Tarigami

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR MAY 16. The State unit of the CPI (M) has called for an all-party meet in Jammu and Kashmir to evolve a consensus on having an autonomous voice to represent the people to facilitate and strengthen the dialogue process.

Talking to mediapersons here today, the CPI (M) State secretary, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami said, "there has to be a common ground for both political and separatist parties in Kashmir to evolve a mechanism to put an end to violence against the common man." Nobody is bothered about what the commoner faced. Unarmed and innocent people continued to be victims of senseless violence.

When asked whether he was in touch with separatist or militant leaders, he said "yes, I have friends who are known to certain leaders."

Mr. Tarigami said he was the first one to initiate a process of communication among all sides, when he wrote to the Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Geelani, and then to the then Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, and others two years ago.

Hailing the peace initiative between India and Pakistan, Mr. Tarigami, who is also the leader of the People's Democratic Forum (PDF), a coalition partner of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, said that this time the liberals in the process were more powerful.

"Hawks in both the countries have been weakened, which gives us a ray of hope," he said.

He said no political leadership in India, Pakistan or Kashmir could afford to ignore the voice of the people who crave for peace.

At the same time, he cautioned that no solution should be imposed as had been done by both India and Pakistan in the last 50 years. Only a solution, which could ensure the security of both the countries could work and "past mistakes like the Partition should not be repeated".

Mr. Tarigami said there could be no alternative to dialogue and "I am of the firm opinion that the thread could be picked up from Agra, even though observers declared it as a failure."

He said Pakistan should effectively use its authority and influence to persuade armed groups operating from its soil to desist from violence and release all political prisoners and ensure democratic rights in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including northern areas.

Similarly the Centre should ensure peace and gradually reduce the size of the security forces involved in internal security.

It should also facilitate the return of youth, from the other side of the LoC, who want to lead a peaceful life.

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