Srinagar, Aug 26: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday said the ‘deteriorating’ situation on the Line of Control (LoC) has compelled him to shoot letters to Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan seeking immediate de-escalation of situation on the borders. He said Kashmir is the main casualty of such incidents along the borders. He also urged the heads of two neighboring countries to take cue from Palestine-Israel talks and proposed dialogue on defusing crisis in Afghanistan, to begin a new chapter on resolving issues, especially Kashmir. The Hurriyat (M) chairman, however, added that there has been no serious initiative either from India or Pakistan towards resolving Kashmir issue, a pre-condition set by the amalgam for joining the dialogueprocess. Addressing media-persons at Hurriyat (M) headquarters at Rajbagh here, Mirwaiz said the situation along LoC is worsening with each passing day. “The dynamics between India and Pakistan appear to be heading on a path of deterioration. To communicate our concerns, we find ourselves constrained to write to Prime Ministers of both the countries (Manmohan Singh and Mian Nawaz Sharif),” he said. He said the military confrontations along LoC over the past few weeks, coupled with accusations and counter-accusations are worrisome. “We believe that the decision to put an end to such hostilities along the LoC in 2003 ceasefire was an act of great wisdom and courageous statesmanship by the leaders of two countries,” Mirwaiz said. He said the Hurriyat has sought immediate de-escalation of LoC situation. “Whenever such incidents have taken place on LoC, Kashmir has always become the first casualty. There are villages that are suffering due to exchange of fire on the either side of the fence. Lives of people living close to LoC are at risk,” he said. Reading out the text of the letters sent to the two Prime Ministers, Mirwaiz said it was highly regrettable to observe thatvarious shades of opinion in India have been calling for suspension of peace efforts by India and Pakistan. “Given this kind of approach, we fear that the foundation for a future war and a potential catastrophe is being laid,” he said. “We ferventlyappeal both the Prime Ministers to make a new beginning towards a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Just as the Israel-Palestine have resumed talks after years of bitter hostilities and as the proposed talks on Afghanistan are going totake a place after years of war and violence,” he said. He said relations can’t be governed by force and international disputes can’t be addressed through military might. “In JK, there is already an emerging consensus that Kashmir issue must be resolved once for all. Even mainstream parties like National Conference and PDP are talking the language of Hurriyat that Kashmir must be resolved politically as it was not an administrative issue,” he said. On why was Hurriyat advocating bilateral talks between India and Pakistan as it had been maintaining that no bilateral talkswould prove successful, Mirwaiz said since Hurriyat has no role in dousing the flames at LoC, it is upto the two nations to start dialogue to end tensions at the borders. Asked was Hurriyat ready to join the dialogue process, Mirwaiz said unfortunately so far no tangible initiative has been takeneither by India or Pakistan towards Kashmir resolution. “Besides, we had given some suggestions to New Delhi, there is no headway,” he said. “We are urging India and Pakistan to defuse the crisis on LoC and to start a meaningful dialogue process for Kashmir settlement with active participation of Kashmiris. Though Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and some steps were taken, but these were not able to transform the ground situation. There has to be conducive atmosphere for talks,” he maintained.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 03:25:40 +0000
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