NEW DELHI: As part of the “political process” which the new Janata Dal (S) government in Delhi is keen to initiate, efforts are afoot to release prominent political leaders of Kashmir under detention for the past three to six months.
Those being considered for release include Mr Abdul Gani Lone, Chairman of the Peoples Conference, Dr Qazi Nissar, Chairman of Umate Islami, and Prof Abdul Gani, a prominent leader of the Muslim United Front. The Union Home Ministry has been in touch with top police and intelligence officials in Srinagar and Jammu for the purpose of clearing the release of some senior politicians against whom there is no definite evidence of direct involvement in promoting militancy in the valley.
Though no final decision has been taken regarding the release of these leaders, intelligence agencies in Srinagar and Delhi are said to be weighing the pros and cons of a move to set free even Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a senior leader of JamaateIslami, Maulvi Abbas Ansari, Convener of one faction of the Muslim United Front. Official circles in Srinagar and Delhi believe that Syed Geelani, Mr Lone and Prof Gani could assist the government in restoring normalcy in Kashmir provided they showed definite change in the attitude towards the Kashmir problem. The official agencies in Srinagar are not sure of any change in the attitude of Mr Geelani who has been vocal in opposing Kashmir’s accession to Indian. But Mr Lone has remained an argent supporter of internal autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir and his release could be useful to some extent.
‘The official agencies have so far made several attempts to win the support of Mr Shabi Shah, Peoples League supreme, but despite his ‘over one year of detention he has refused to help the government in turning the tide against the militants. Mr Shah continues to be respected by all militant outfits but being away from the scene of militant activity for a long time, he is not sure of his ability to prevail upon the militants to lay down their arms.
The government knows that not a single political leader is in a position to force the militants to join the national mainstream; It is willing to experiment with the idea of releasing some senior politicians who could support the government moves for initiating a political process in Kashmir. Already an amicable settlement between the government and employees resulting in the end to the 72daylong strike by over 1.25 lakh employees, has created a favorable atmosphere in the valley. Once the government implements its assurances made to the employee’s coordination committee leaders, it may further remove mistrust between the employees and the administration.
Ban order
AGARTALA: Government of Tripura has imposed prohibitory orders along the Indo Bangladesh border in Sonamura subdivision of west Tripura to prevent trans-border crimes.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 14, 1990
