 Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 27: Leaders across the political spectrum in Jammu and Kashmir, including both mainstream politicians and separatists, paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Thursday.
Dr. Singh’s efforts to foster peace and stability in the region remain a cornerstone of his legacy, despite challenges in their implementation due to resistance from separatist factions.
Dr. Singh, known for his humility and intellect, spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives to address the conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. Among his notable achievements was the formulation of the Manmohan-Musharraf four-point formula, a visionary framework designed to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
In February 2005, Dr. Singh oversaw a historic breakthrough when India and Pakistan agreed to launch the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, reopening a vital route that had been closed since 1948. The bus service was hailed as a major step toward fostering people-to-people connections across the Line of Control (LoC) and reviving hopes for peace. “This is the first step on the long road of peace,” Dr. Singh had remarked during the bus's flag-off ceremony in Srinagar.
To build on this momentum, Dr. Singh appointed Satinder Lamba as a special envoy to hold secret negotiations with Pakistani counterpart Tariq Aziz. These discussions aimed to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive agreement with then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
Dr. Singh also initiated a round-table conference on Kashmir in 2006, bringing together political leaders from across the region to discuss pathways to peace. However, separatist leaders boycotted the discussions, limiting their impact.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Singh made direct overtures to separatist factions, engaging with leaders such as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Gani Bhat, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Fazal Haque Qureshi, and Bilal Lone. Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani and others, including JKLF leader Yasin Malik, also interacted with Dr. Singh during his tenure.
Dr. Singh’s tenure was equally focused on development and infrastructure. His administration launched welfare schemes and approved significant financial packages to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and education in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, described Dr. Singh as a humble and tireless leader dedicated to advancing peace and prosperity. “His policies ushered in an era of hope for Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hailed Dr. Singh as a "giant among pygmies" and praised his intellect and statesmanship. “He leaves behind a legacy of vision and humility,” Abdullah remarked.
While Dr. Singh’s peace efforts faced hurdles, his initiatives, including the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and round-table conferences, remain landmark moments in the history of the Kashmir peace process. As tributes pour in, his work for the region is remembered as a blend of bold diplomacy and unwavering commitment to dialogue and development. |
