Reach out to Kashmiris, political parties united in message

NEW DELHI - Worried at the continuing civilian strife in Kashmir for the past two months, parties across the political spectrum have urged the government to reach out to the people of the state, suggesting various measures ranging from sending an all-party delegation, revoking the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and granting of a measure of political autonomy.

The Congress and the Left parties have suggested sending an all-party delegation to Kashmir to soothe tempers and convey a message of belonging to the people, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought a meeting of political parties to discuss steps that can help improve the situation.

One of the areas of difference among political parties is on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, which gives the army legal immunity for their actions. While the ruling National Conference wants it to be repealed, some parties have suggested its dilution, but the BJP is against any changes in the law.

“The state government should focus on improving law and order. If the powers of security forces are withdrawn, how will you control the situation? You can’t make security forces toothless,” BJP leader S.S. Ahluwalia told IANS.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi articulated the party’s position on the violence in Kashmir in the party’s mouthpiece Congress Sandesh. She said that elements instigating violence in the state must be identified and brought to book and the state government should continue to push the development agenda as this would bring jobs and livelihood opportunities.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Saifuddin Soz said a group of parliamentarians should visit Kashmir and talk to a cross section of society, apart from meeting the families of those who had lost their kin in firing by security forces.

“The people of Kashmir deserve a message of compassion more than any package of economic well-being,” Soz told IANS, adding that political parties cutting across party lines should send a message of inclusiveness and togetherness.

G.N. Ratanpuri, National Conference MP, said the government should have something more to offer than talks to the people.

“Why have distances been created… The government should restore autonomy of the state,” he said.

Ratanpuri said his party had demanded repeal of AFSPA, but the government had not even diluted it.

Agreeing that “there may be an iota of truth” in the perception that people were being instigated to throw stones at security forces, the MP said the central government has to ponder over the underlying reasons for such actions.

“Why do people in Rajasthan not throw stones at police? We should treat it (Kashmir problem) as our problem,” he said.

Ratanpuri also said the government should not give an impression that the chief minister was acting at its behest.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury agreed with the BJP contention that Pakistan had shifted its strategy on Kashmir but said it was vital to gain the confidence of people.

“The strategic paradigm is no longer the individual attacks of terror but to incite mobs to violence; this has been happening. We have seen this happening during the Amarnath yatra two years ago. We are seeing this happening even today. In such a situation, the most important thing is to show restraint, but at the same time gain confidence of the people,” Yechury said.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley had said in parliament last week that agencies in Pakistan had changed their strategy in Kashmir after realising that there was no global acceptability for acts of terrorism and their new methodology was to instigate people for mob violence.

Yechury said an all-party delegation must be sent to Kashmir as soon as possible to tell people that “We are with you and you are with us”.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja said that political process can bring a solution to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The government should reassure that everything possible will be done under Article 370 of the constitution (granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir). The question of full autonomy needs to be addressed and regional autonomy to the three regions - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh - can be considered in the process,” he said.

Raja said that AFPSA may not be applied to cities such as Srinagar. “The government can give it a try,” he said.

Since June 11, around 50 people have been killed, mostly in firing by security forces, triggering largescale anger and violence in the troubled state.