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| At work, peace through ‘Backdoor Channels’ | | | Nirbhay Jammual
It is backdoor channel diplomacy going on in Kashmir.It is almost multi-channel diplomacy for motivating separatists for helping the Government in restoring peace in the valley. On one hand it is Ram Jethmalani,who is already introduced to the leaders of All Party Hurriyat Conference, trying to rope in the separatists so that they no longer incite people to violence while demanding reopening of the Jehlum Valley road for trade and resolution of the Kashmir issue. On the other hand the centre and the state Government functionaries too have begun establishing indirect links with the separatists not only for promoting calm in the valley but also for avoiding kicking up fresh trouble if the Government succeeded in reaching an agreement with the Sangarsh Samiti in Jammu.
The need for reviving links with the separatists for seeking their support in the interest of peace seems to have risen after the PDP and the National Conference refused to help the Government in trying to defuse the turmoil over the land row and over the resolution of the Kashmir issue.In fact the PDP and the National Conference leadership is helpless.The PDP's agenda has been hijacked by the separatists.The recent unity among the hardliners and moderates has infused new life among the separatists.Their strength has reduced the National Conference and the PDP to the state of vulnerability.The do not seem to be in a position to turn the tide in favour of the Government.Their position in the valley has been similar to the Congress in Jammu.
In Jammu the congress leaders had been left with no other alternative but to extend their support to the Sangarsh Samiti.The Congress leaders started extending their support for the Samiti publicly when their houses were attacked.At one stage Mangat Ram Sharma had attempted a somersault by annoncing that the congress never demanded recall of the Governor.He had to adopt defensive postures by annoucing publicly that he supported the Sangarsh Samiti.The same pattern has been adopted by the National Conference and the PDP whose leaders too demand opening of Sringar-Muzaffarabad road for trade and settlement of the Kashmir issue.The valley centric National Conference and the PDP leaders have no other alternative but to endorse the stand taken by the separatists whether on land,or Kashmir issue or on trade route.They have to do it to ensure their political survival.
In the light of helplessnes of National Conference and the PDP in bailing the Government out of the current crisis the multi-channel diplomacy has been intiated simply to buy peace.Indications are that the Government may be able to achieve partial success.The separatists are enjoying their new found vigour and they may not be ready to waste this oppostunity by sleeping over the issues they have raised.But keeping these issues in circulation has become their food for survival.The Government would feel itself lucky if it got a breathing time.The separatists have got a platform.But if they do not lift the lid from the sizzling pressure cooker it may burst against them.People in Kashmir and in Jammu are losing their patience because of restrictions on their movement and their business owing to curfew and shutdown. |
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