NEW DELHI: In a major breakthrough, Union Home Minister S.B. ‘Chavan and nine former militants last Week successfully began a dialogue to peacefully resolve the Kashmir issue. “

I’m impressed that they wanted Peace without compromising their dignity,” a visibly happy Mr. Chavan told newspersons after the hour-long talks.

“The talks were held in a cordial and marked a welcome beginning,” the former militant leaders’ told a Press conference later.

‘The militants pat forth three proposals to facilitate a “sincere and purposeful dialogue.” They wanted the Government to restrain the security forces from harassing and victimizing innocent people, and stop all offensive actions: to release all detainees; and to disarm “renegade militants” such as Kuka Parray alias Jamshyd Shirazi.

“These will definitely help in making a positive headway,” the militants said. They reportedly told Mr, Chavan that a large number of people in Kashmir “sitting on the fence” were watching for the outcome of this initiative.

Mr. Chavan responded by appointing a three member committee headed by Special Secretary V.K. Jain to follow up the proposals. “We have to ‘ere ale an atmosphere for the talks to succeed)” Mr, Chavan said. To that end, the committee will visit J&K on March 21.

An addition, the Home Minister said he soon would go to Kashmir “to oar the possibility of furthering the dialogue.” The fact that the meeting seemed to go off well gave hope that there was now an end in sight to the impasse between the large sections of Kashmiri people who want an end to the violence that has marked the separatist movement during the past six years, and the Government of India, for whom the Kashmir insurgency has been a major political and diplomatic problem. ‘One reason for the upbeat mood in New Delhi was the agreement by both the Home Minister and the militant leaders that the problem could only be settled “across the negotiating table,” and that process of dialogue would take its own time. “Talks arc the first step to creating an atmosphere for peace,” Mr, Chavan. Said. “Confidence-building measures ‘will have to be adopted and it will take some time.

“There is no timeframe for the proposal,” militant spokesman Babar Badar, ex-chief of the Muslim Jaanbaaz Force (MIF), said, “Dialogue is a process, not a conclusion.”

Other ex-militant leaders who met the Home Minister were: Imran Rahi, ex deputy chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen; Bilal Lodhi, ex-chief of Al Barg; G.M. Lone, ex deputy chief ‘of the Muslim Mujahideen; Shabis Ahmed Wani, ex-chief of the MIF, Parvez Haider of the MJF; Abu Abid ‘ex deputy chief of the Hizbollah; G.M. Channan, ex-chief of the MJF; and Mohd Yusuf Khan, acting Naib Ami of the Green Army. Mr, Chavan was impressed with the “distinct change in the attitude” of the nine ex-militants, “They themselves said that the gun culture is not going to achieve any results,” he said.

‘The militants, however, did not reject the role of the gun the separatist movement ‘We believe that the time now is for a dialogue,” Mr. Badar said, “this dialogue is a result of the gun.” According to officials present during the meeting, the militants told Mr. Chavan that they had come for the talks expecting mutual trust, transparency, sincerity and reasonableness. ‘They said that they were very serious about wanting peace with honor and dignity.

‘The militants later told journalists that there was no discussion of polls, as for them elections was a “nonissue,” “Elections are cosmetic measures,” Mr, Badar said, “The core issue is the permanent resolution of the Kashmir problem.” When asked how they expected a resolution without Pakistan, Mr. Badar said: “As Kashmiris we are the principal party. We are suffering, and sufferers have no choice but to look for all ways out”

‘When asked about the APHCa-version to the talks, and its charges that the ex-militant leaders did not speak for Kashmiris, Mr, Badar said: “We represent the people’s aspirations.”

Article extracted from this publication >>  March 20, 1996