Geelani’s interaction with civil society welcome move: Radha Kumar
‘Can Pave Way For Kashmir Settlement’
JAVAID
MALIK
Srinagar, Feb 20: Radha Kumar, one of the interlocutors on Kashmir, Monday described interactions of the chairman of Hurriyat (G) Syed
Ali Shah Geelani with a cross section of civil society in New Delhi as a welcome development.
Talking to Greater Kashmir over phone, Kumar said,
“We have always believed that talks between separatists and Government of India can pave the way for permanent settlement of the Kashmir
problem.”
She said that Geelani “opening up for talks” is a good sign and it would encourage leaders in New Delhi to come
forward with different proposals vis-à-vis Kashmir. “No one opposing the initiatives of Kashmir Committee, headed by Ram Jethmalini, to
rope in Kashmiri separatist leaders indicate that committee enjoys quiet support and it is good news.”
Kumar while referring to the
report submitted by interlocutors said, “Our recommendations will generate a debate and it will add momentum to the ongoing peace process. Our
report is on the line of many good reports submitted for the resolution of the Kashmir problem.”
A source said that report of the
interlocutors is likely to be discussed in the forthcoming meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Security (CCS) which is likely to meet in coming days.
“After the CCS discusses the report an All Party Meeting will be called and its contents would be made public,” the source said, adding,
“After the report is made public process will be initiated by the Prime Minister’s Office to start back channel talks with the
separatists. An informal group including one or two top Kashmiri politicians will be constituted to start the stalled dialogue
process.”
A top official said that if New Delhi is able to rope in separatists through back channel, a formal invitation would be sent to
Kashmiri leaders for talks ahead of Prime Minister’s scheduled Pakistan visit later this year. Pertinently, three member panel of interlocutors
appointed by New Delhi amidst 2010 unrest submitted its report in October 2011 but its contents have not been made public yet. Interlocutors during
their one year exercise held discussions with various shades of opinions across Jammu and Kashmir but they failed to rope in
separatists.
Chairman of Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani attending an informal chat in New Delhi organized by the Kashmir Committee chairman
and senior Bhartiya Janta Party leader, Ram Jethmalani, last month is making leaders in New Delhi believe that Geelani is showing some inclination
towards entering into parleys.
[Greater Kashmir]
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