Jammu & Kashmir - Articles

The Centre-Hurriyat dialogue shared prominent space in the Urdu Media in last fortnight of January 2004 in Kashmir valley.

Five-member panel of Hurriyat (Abbas group) to talk to Delhi, reported bilingual Alsafa (16-January -2004). "A five member panel has been nominated by Hurriyat to talk to Deputy Prime Minister, L.K Advani; this was decided in a joint meeting of Hurriyat at its headquarters. The decision was endorsed by the Working council, Executive council and General council of the organization. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman, Abbas Ansari. Besides Mirwaiz Farooq, Bilal Gani lone, Prof. Ab. Gani Bhat and Fazlul Haq Qureshi, members of more than a dozen separatist groups attended the meeting. However, JKLF, Jamat –e-Islami and People’s League were not present. It continued, “Spokesman of the organization, Prof Bhat said that the panel was already set up and it got the endorsement of Working and General council today. Bhat said, “The meeting with Advani is the beginning of a dialogue. The dialogue would be Kashmir centric. Of course, there would be difficulties, which we will try to overcome."

Mohd. Hamid Salak in an article in weekly Chattan (19 –25 January 2004) commented on the Hurriyat-Advani meet. "At last the wait ended, Huriyat received a formal invitation to talk to Deputy Prime Minister, L.K Advani. Unlike the organization’s attitude in the past, this time without any hesitation, it accepted the offer. It appears that Hurriyat was eager to see a formal invitation leading to a dialogue. And as soon as it happened, the conglomerate wasted no time to call a meeting and appointed a five-member team to talk to Advani. Though the much-awaited conversation between the Center and Hurriyat is all set to take place, the panel formed by the latter in this regard reveals that the organization has failed to win the support of any separatist group outside its own fold. However, the inclusion of Fazulal Haq Qureshi, popular for his uprightness and forthcoming nature aroused interest among people vis-a–vis these talks. It continued, "It is for the first time in 14 years of deadly violence that a dialogue between Hurriyat and Delhi has materialized. In 1995 four prominent separatists Imran Rahi, Bilal Lodi, Babar Badar and late Mohi-u-din Lone held an unsuccessful dialogue with the then Home Minister, Chauhan. Though it was said that the dialogue would be Kashmir centric and intended to resolve Kashmir issue, all four returned disappointed"

Chances of Hurriyat Conference visit to Pakistan, reported daily Srinager Times (20 January 2004) in its lead news. "Three days before the commencement of a dialogue between the Hurriyat and Deputy Prime Minister, L.K Advani, a high-level meeting of Kashmir Coordination Committee presided over by Advani was held in Delhi. It took stock of the situation and discussed the Center’s strategy with regard to a dialogue with the organization." It continued, “The meeting that lasted for more than an hour was attended by Home secretary N. Gopal swami, interlocutor between Centre and Hurriyat, NN Vohra, Director Intelligence Bureau, K.P Singh, RAW Chief, C.D Sinha, OSD, A.S.Daulat and special secretary (Home) BB Mishra. When asked about the Hurriyat seeking permission to visit Pakistan, Advani said let them come here first. A member of the committee wishing anonymity said that the dialogue with Hurriyat would be comprehensive." Summing up, it read, "The dialogue process will be extensive. This is the first meeting, said the member. "The organization has to come here a day later. Let them come and meet. We have to see what demand they make or not make. Once they come, you can ask them also", he added.

"To Pakistan, the recently concluded spell of talks between the two countries was productive. Being very important and basic in nature, efforts would be made to have a successful dialogue on Kashmir issue", daily Aftab (18-January-2004) gave prominence to statement of Pakistan President, Parvez Musharraf. While addressing the joint session of the Parliament, Musharraf said, “The resolution of Kashmir issue will bring about the normalization of relations between India and Pakistan. The issue is very important and basic in nature. Pakistan will give its utmost to make the dialogue successful but no compromise would be acceptable. It is a good going between two countries and on the basis of the prevailing circumstances; it is evident that the situation in the entire subcontinent is shaping up." It continued, "Both countries would contribute to a meaningful dialogue and of course towards the betterment of diplomatic relations between the two countries." Meanwhile, while addressing high-level police officials and chief secretaries, Vajpayee said that the confidence building measures between the two countries have been successful. India would continue this process and resolve all the disputes through peaceful means, summed up the report.