Date:11/05/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/05/11/stories/2003051100831000.htm

National

'Only the people can resolve Kashmir dispute'

By Our Special Correspondenti

SRINAGAR MAY 10. Maintaining that there was a need for greater interaction between the leaders of both parts of Kashmir, the National Panther's Party chief, Bhim Singh, today said he was ready to take a delegation of Jammu and Kashmir legislators to the `other' side.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Singh claimed that "only the people on both the sides of the Line of Control (LoC) can resolve the Kashmir dispute". "India and Pakistan are emotionally involved with it and it is being used for winning elections."

Pointing out that he had a perfect understanding with the former Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Premier, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, Mr. Singh said, "it is time for a comprehensive dialogue between the leaders of both the sides".

He had already approached the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, for permission to take a group of legislators from the State to lay the foundation for a new relationship with the people of PoK. "I am waiting for a response."

The NPP chief said he did not see much hope for the ongoing initiatives between India and Pakistan as these were not based on sincerity. "The BJP is using Kashmir with an eye on the coming elections in five States as Narendra Modi used it in Gujarat," he said.

On the mission of N.N. Vohra, the Centre's interlocutor on Kashmir, he said, "it is a mere eyewash". "He (Mr. Vohra) should have extended an invitation to the separatists as also others." Even the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee's promise that "Mr. Vohra will not come with an empty envelope" was not kept.

Though satisfied with the leadership of the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, he expressed concern over the plight of thousands of undertrials languishing in jails. The administration, particularly the Police Department, needed a complete overhaul, Mr. Singh said.