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| APD's visit to Jammu witnesses more 'hues' | | Some boycott, many annoyed during day long activity | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Sept 21: On its peace ensuring mission in the trouble torn J&K state, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram led All Party Delegation reached winter capital this afternoon amid elaborate security arrangements to hear the views of a diverse spectrum of political and non political delegations representing different communities and areas of the Jammu region. While the main political parties stuck to their stated positions and stances, from the ruling Congress two voices, almost in opposed overtures, emanated few minutes after the leaders interacted with the delegation. JKNPP and state unit of Samajwadi Party decided to boycott the APD. The hectic day was also marked by visit of at least five members to Muthi camp inhabited by Kashmir Pandits and also a meeting with separatist leader Shabir Shah at Chopra Nursing Home.
While the Jammu unit of Congress party today conveyed to the ALL Party Delegation (APD) that the NC- led coalition government was capable of restoring peace in the state and it was "working to keep the state united by ensuring balanced development of all the three regions of the state", fiery MP of the party Choudhary Lal Singh strongly advocated arrest of all separatist leaders under PSA for what he said they were main culprits in fomenting trouble in Kashmir and responsible for present mess. "They should be arrested and lodged in Tihar Jail instead of keeping them under detention in the state…..", Ch Lal Singh said while speaking to media later about what he conveyed to the delegation, underlining the need 'to act tough against the separatists responsible for the present spate of violence in the valley'. He said that it was also conveyed that some forces are using the opportunity to grab power
The Congress leaders from both the factions of the state unit, though in one group echoed different views vis-à-vis approach to solve Kashmir crisis. Senior party leader Amrit Malothra said that while the demand of autonomy was something negotiable, the accession of state was not nor was there any scope for discussing Azadi. The Sheikh- Indira accord can be made basis for resolution of the Kashmir issue, the Congress leader said. However, former Deputy Chief Minister and senior party leader Mangat Ram Sharma who led the Congress delegation conveyed to APD that there was need for meeting the developmental aspiration of the people. Pandit Sharma also strongly advocated continuation of status quo position in the state. "What ever the position state is having this time, it should remain the same……we have to evolve measures within this framework……." Mangat Ram said asserting that any deviation to status quo would be opposed by Congress.
The ruling National Conference delegation from Jammu led by Ajay Sadohtra reiterated party stand that the political solution to the Kashmir issue can be reached only by extending of autonomy, besides initiating concrete Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) including withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from peaceful areas of the state.
Sadhotra also said that the party also demanded a dialogue to address the internal dimensions of the state by talking to all shades of the opinion besides setting up of Finance Commission for better monitoring development activities.
The region's major political party Jammu Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) however decided to boycott it. "We have decided to boycott the delegation as we feel the delegation has no constitutional authority to take cognizance of all the facts….", said party supreme, Prof Bhim Singh.
"This all party delegation has done what it did, by reaching out to separatists in the valley, and projecting their cause, rather than countering the secessionist propaganda," said JKNPP president Balwant Singh Mankotia .
The state unit of BJP created a drama of sorts during the day in a sense that earlier it said it will boycott the all-party meeting here in protest against the failure to invite various nationalist parties and organizations for putting forth their viewpoints on Jammu and Kashmir. "These parties (VHP, Bajrang Dal, Panun Kashmir ….) represent the aspirations and view points of Jammu and have been deliberately kept aside, "state president Shamsher Singh Manhas said adding that "it was a clear discrimination with Jammu and we are not going to tolerate it".
Later in the afternoon, the BJP changed its decision contending the administration agreed to extend invitation to all and hence BJP decided to meet the delegation. Apart from the stance party has been maintaining on AFSPA and other related issues, the thrust of BJP delegation today was on setting up of Provincial Councils in both Jammu and Kashmir provinces with adequate administrative and financial powers and also the authority to decide about the use and control of funds and grant of Union Territory status to Ladakh.
Late in the evening, CM's official residence where all these interactions were held, witnessed high drama when representatives of at least three Jammu based organizations- VHP, Sangharsh Samiti and Jammu people's Front left the venue angrily on a bitter note. The three organizations had earlier decided to stay away from the meeting but when the administration made phone calls they reached the venue where they waited for over two hours only to be told at around 9.30 pm that delegation had no time to meet any organization. Blaming administration for the 'confusion' they boycotted the meeting with APD.
One vital aspect of the APD delegation was the visit of at least five members led by CPIM leader Sita Ram Yechuri to Muthi camp where they listened to camp inmates views, majority of whom echoed homeland demand, part from employment package for youth. During the visit, the camp atmosphere reverberated with anti separatist slogans. Various Pandit community representatives also met APD at official venue and strongly put forth that employment package should not be linked with return of KPs. They also put forth various other issues related to the displaced community. Before the culmination of APD interactions today, Panun Kashmir leaders Dr Agnishekhar and Dr Jay Chrangoo also met the Home Minister P Chidambaram.
In addition to them, representatives of Sikh organizations and various Gujjar bodies also met the APD and advocated their stand of complete integration of state with India. |
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