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| Except Geelani, no one wants plebiscite in J&K: Interlocutors | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR, Jan 21: Centre's interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir today said that most people who met them were not in favour of implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir seeking plebiscite but favoured socio-economic and political empowerment of people and devolution of power.
"As regards a permanent political settlement in Jammu and Kashmir, a small but vocal section harped on UN resolutions, plebiscite and self-determination resulting in independence of the state as it existed before August 1947," head interlocutor Daleep Padgaonkar told reporters here. Veteran journalist was briefing media at the conclusion of the group's fourth visit to the state which began early this week.
Padgaonkar said that most of the people they met reiterated their faith in democracy, fundamental rights, pluralism and tolerance. "By and large, however, most people we spoke to did not refer to that option (UN resolutions) ... they sought the empowerment of people to enable them realise in full measure their political, economic, social and cultural aspirations," he said.
Padgaonkar said they also stressed the need to devolve power to individuals and communities in all constituent units of the state to avoid its division along ethnic or religious lines. "Both empowerment and devolution, they (people) insisted, would have to be backed by constitutional guarantees and robust institutions for transparent, accountable, inclusive and participatory governance," he said.
Padgaonkar, who was accompanied by former information Commissioner MM Ansari, parried questions about his contact with chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq yesterday. "I don't wish to spend my time explaining, clarifying and justifying anything. I have known separatist leaders in my capacity as a member of Kashmir committee headed by Ram Jethmalani. I have been in touch with them ever since but there is no reason to explain each time," Padgaonkar said.
Breaking the ice, interlocutors yesterday talked to the Mirwaiz over phone discussing the situation in the state and seeking time for a meeting. After the conversation, which lasted for over 10 minutes, the Mirwaiz had said that Padgaonkar had called him and wanted to meet "but we refused". Mirwaiz said Hurriyat Conference was not against dialogue but added that process has to be "Kashmir-centric and result-oriented". |
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