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| EU group meets Governor | | Economics should take precedence over politics in Indo-Pak relations: Sinha | |
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 19 – Expressing satisfaction over the resumption of Indo-Pak peace process, Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today exuded confidence that composite dialogue would usher Jammu and Kashmir to a new era of peace and normalcy.
In an hour long interaction with Trokia envoys at Raj Bhavan, the Governor said that time has come when economics should take precedence over politics and hostilities of the past replaced by joint endeavour for economic prosperity in the Sub continent.
“We can work out a situation where the people of India including Kashmir and Pakistan can unitedly fight the common enemy of poverty, disease and ignorance’, the Governor said, envisioning a European Union type mechanism with borders becoming irrelevant and LOC becoming Line of Peace and Prosperity. He, however, added that solution to the problem cannot be found overnight and said, ‘one should not be in a hurry; it needs patience even if it takes couple of years’. He said the solution should be a win win situation for all- India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.
When a diplomat referred to flexibility shown by India and Pakistan on various vital issues and wanted to know whether President Parvez Musharraf could sell out any proposal to his constituency, the Governor said that no doubt this is a matter of concern. He said he knew the older generation in Pakistan Army and President Musharraf is from a younger generation that has grown and fed on anti-India propaganda. In such a scenario, he might find himself in a tight spot especially in view of emerging situation in Wazirstan, Baluchistan and sectarian violence plaguing the country. He, however, wished him success in his endeavours, saying that peace has to be given a chance as people of both the countries have been yearning for it.
India, the Governor said, has a vibrant democracy with the Opposition enjoying the right to oppose and criticize the Government and expressed confidence about consensus being arrived at on important national issues in a true democratic spirit.
The Governor also referred to flourishing democracy in Kashmir and said that the State enjoys far higher degree of self-rule than any other State of the country. What could be a better indicator of democracy than that separatist are being provided adequate security and some even medical treatment, notwithstanding the fact that they continue with venomous anti-India propaganda, day in and day out. Does this happen in any other democracy in the world, he asked.
Elaborating on self-rule, the Governor said it is synonymous with democracy, which Kashmir enjoys a great measure. He pointed out that sermons in this regard are coming from the side which has derailed democracy in its mainland, choked it in Pak occupied Kashmir and totally denied it in Northern Area. ‘In PoK they have democracy under strict central control while Northern Area is regarded as the only surviving colony in the world’, he said, adding that self-rule and demilitarization are more required across the border than here. He hoped that Pakistan will get out of the syndrome of doing something and saying something. In this context, he referred to the material, moral and financial support given to terrorists in Kashmir to keep the pot boiling notwithstanding the assurances given by President Musharraf that terrorism from Pakistan or Pakistan controlled territory will not be exported to Kashmir. He said India has always been sincere in normalizing relations with its neighbour but Pakistan had not responded positively. In the past, no agreement has been kept, be that Standstill Agreement, Cease-Fire Agreement, Tashkent Agreement, Shimla Agreement or Lahore Accord. However, conditions today are different with the upsurge of goodwill among the people in both countries.
General Sinha said that India believes in getting every shade of opinion in Kashmir on board. Though the representative character of Hurriyat Conference has not been tested, as they never contested elections nor they have a single individual with them from considerable groups within the Valley and outside, yet every effort is being made to involve them in talks. He also said Hurriyat has several factions, the Governor said.
The diplomats appreciated freedom of expression, speech and media in India and said ‘these are the values we share’. They posed a volley of questions to the Governor on prevailing situation in Kashmir, steps being taken to ensure development and measures underway to bring about peace in the State.
General Sinha said that the State Government is committed to all round development of all the three regions of the State, ensuring responsive and good governance and weeding out corruption. He said the Army is supplementing the development effort in remote and far flung areas and mentioned in this context, the 1000 micro hydel projects being set up in the State. Of these 500 have already been completed and remaining 500 are likely to be ready in next two to three months.
On bringing about mind change among the youth in doctrined by vicious propaganda, the Governor said that Kashmiriyat holds the key to guide the society to peace and harmony. As an effort to revive this glorious heritage of the Valley, he said that a Department of Kashmir Studies has been set up in the University of Kashmir.
On Human Rights, the Governor said that India has a far better record than other armies fighting insurgency in Wazirstan, Baluchistan, Iraq and Afghanistan. He said the Army has never used air power or artillery or attacked any place of worship place during its anti-terrorism operations of the last over 16 years. He said the Army has a mechanism of punishing the personnel against whom complaints are established. So far 73 personnel have been awarded punishments ranging from dismissals to imprisonment upto 14 years, he said.
The European Union Delegation was led by Ambassador of Finland, Mr Asko Aamminen. |
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