Jammu & Kashmir - Articles

Unification amongst Hurriyat leaders was an uphill task for the people putting in efforts to forge unity in an otherwise faction-ridden organization, commented daily Aftab (18 August 2004. "Efforts are being made by a section of people to forge unity amongst Hurriyat leaders but their job becomes even more difficult as leaders of the organization are reluctant to join hands and work together. Majority of people are eager to see Hurriyat as a joint force but there are few least interested to see the organization functioning under one banner. Such people argue that when Hurriyat was a joint force, the leaders of constituent parties in it were always involved in mudslinging against each other." It continued, "When Umar Farooq was the Chairman of the organization, most of the parties in Hurriyat were in opposition to him and wanted him to work as a member, not Chairman. And finally he (Umar) was removed from chairmanship of the Hurriyat and Geelani elected as the new Chairman of the organization but only after a draw." Even after his tenure ended, he (Geelani) never wanted to leave the chair but like Umar was removed from the post of Chairman. And then the new Chairman of Hurriyat was elected through an undemocratic process overnight, concluded the editorial. 

 Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani has formed new party called Tahreek -e- Hurriyat. Abbas group of Hurriyat Conference claims to be the real representative of people of Kashmir. Though Sheikh Aziz represents Peoples League, it has announced his support for Tahreek -e- Hurriyat and Shabir Ahmad Shah continues to be the President of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP)."  The Alsafa opined "The attempts to forge unity amongst Hurriyat leaders have failed as leaders are reluctant to join hands but continue to claim to be representatives of Kashmiri people, one wonders how. These petty leaders have disappointed Kashmiris."

Bilingual Alsafa (24 August 2004) in its editorial, 'Politics of opportunism', commented on the controversial Permanent Residence Disqualification Bill being debated upon in assembly only to draw political mileage by ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and National Conference (NC). "Politics of opportunism has once again taken a heavy toll on the basic interests of the people of the state. Both ruling PDP and NC continue to lock horns on controversial Permanent Residence Disqualification Bill. PDP leaders who till yesterday threatened to seek a fresh mandate instead of succumbing to the dictates of Congress leadership have been virtually brought to their knees by the Central leadership pursuing a dilly-delaying tactics on the issue of re-introducing the Permanent Residence Disqualification Bill." It continued, "The bill has brought to the fore ulterior motives of PDP leadership and the Congress is at an advantage because of the fact that local party leaders have not made statements either in favor or against the Bill. Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma promised to defeat the controversial legislation during his address at flag hoisting ceremony on 15 August in Jammu but didn't utter even a single word in favour or against the Bill."

Daily Aftab (05 August 2004) in its editorial, 'Bar protests', commented that "It was very encouraging to see that the Bar Association-expressing great resentment over the gross human rights violations in the Valley. Since few days, Kashmir Bar Association has been protesting against the human rights violations but it is disgusting that there appears to have a little impact of this on State government." It continued, "More often than not, the Government is involved in framing newer strategies to face opposition (NC) cashing upon every opportunity to target PDP led government. It seems that NC has made difficult its (PDP) working due to which the government is unable to concentrate on the problems being faced by beleaguered people. People having every respect for this law governing body have vowed to support Bar Association in its protests against rights violations." The Bar association has appealed the the government to put a check on gross human rights violations in the valley. People hope that the government would lend a patient ear to the appeal of a law governing body and ask security forces to behave properly, summed up the editorial.

In its editorial, "Indo-Pak relations and Kashmir issue" Srinagar Times (10 August 2004) commented on the series of dialogue between two countries. "A joint statement issued at the end of meeting said that both countries upheld to continue the dialogue process. The foreign ministers of the two countries held three meetings during last two months and this gave a flip to the growing relations between two countries." It concluded, "The Kashmir issue is all the more important than the issues of cross border terrorism, drug trafficking and trade and commerce and it is advisable for both the countries that the thrust should be on vexed Kashmir issue - the root cause of all other issues."