JAMMU: In memorandum submitted to the governor, Gen.K.V. Krishna Rao, on May 2, the National Conference has accused the Center of having treated Kashmir as a “colony” since 1950 and of having belittled Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat. It charges the government with unleashing “state terrorism” and demands a probe by Amnesty International.
It has urged “talks with the militants without preconditions.” Gen.Rao has belied the hope that he would stop the “merciless killings” by the security forces, it said.
“Your predecessor, Saxena, created another black chapter in the state’s history by making custodial deaths a daily phenomenon. Earlier, Jag Mohan resorted to genocide of Muslims. You are following in the footsteps of your predecessors,” it said.
When Gen, Rao had arrived in Jammu on March 2, workers of both the National Conference and the Congress had fallen over one another to receive him at the airport and vied with each other to be seen in the banquet hall later at the Swearing in ceremony. Both par Lies had claimed credit for his appointment.
For a few days after Gen. Rao took over, tie National Conference men acted as if they were back in men acted as if they were back in power. They encouraged speculation that they would have a prominent role as his “political advisers.”
When the present advisory council, consisting almost entirely of politicians, was constituted early last year, the National Conference played a negative role. Two of its leaders Babu Parma and, former speaker of the assembly, and Mohammed Shafi Bhat, former MP however, joined the council.
While the party said it could not decide in the absence of its president, Dr.Farooq Abdullah, who was in London, the defiant leaders said he had backed the national integration council suggestion late in 1991 for an advisory council. When Dr.Abdullah came to Jammu, it was decided that the party men could join in their individual capacities.
The National Conference and the Congress also encouraged speculation regarding revival of the dissolved assembly. Strangely, an impression was created that the Congressmen’s writ against the dissolution pending in the high court would be disposed of speedily. In normal course, the assembly would have ended its six year term on March 23, Dr. Abdullah later declared he six year term on March 23. was against a “backdoor” return to power. He probably decided against settling for too little too. soon, At the back of their mind is the fact that their old power base in the Valley where most have their homes. Militants have slain several of their parry men and their relatives.
Dr.Abdullah said normalcy had to return to the Valley before fair elections could be held. he even talked of firmly dealing with the recalcitrant militants, This was a change from the frequent handouts issued by the party against the “excesses” of the security forces. IL never ethicized the militants.
Dr.Abdullah’s recent public meetings have shown the National Conference is not content with just issuing statements to the Press. He launched a frontal attack on the Union government for what he called “utter neglect of the state and against the corruption rampant in the state since he had laid down office in January 1990. He, however, said Gen. Rao had brought new hope.
The memorandum to the governor is surprising for the party has for the first time attacked Gen. Rao, who is said to be a nominee of Dr.Abdullah, It was submitted while he was in London.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 14, 1993
