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Kashmir's Main Alliance Backs Peace Process
by Surinder Oberoi
SRINAGAR (AFP) - Kashmir's main alliance backed peace talks at a crucial meeting Sunday aimed at unifying its position on the Indian army's ceasefire in the region, even as violence broke out in the restive state.
All seven leaders of the All Party Hurriyat Conference - an umbrella organization comprising around two dozen parties - were in the state's summer capital Srinagar for the meeting.
"If the ceasefire declaration can lead to a resolution of the dispute and the restoration of peace and improve relations between India and Pakistan, it signifies a positive change in the mindset of the Indian government," the All Party Hurriyat [Freedom] Conference said.
Hurriyat's statement came after a meeting to iron out differences, which surfaced in the alliance after India suspended operations against Kashmiri fighters during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which began on November 28th.
Abdul Gani Bhat, a senior leader, tried to downplay talk of splits in the political wing of Kashmir's alliance.
"We always enter the meeting room as one and leave as one," said Bhat.
But his words found little echo on the streets. Outside the Hurriyat's offices late Sunday, supporters of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which wants total independence, clashed with other groups’ members who want to unite with Pakistan.
Witnesses said at least a dozen people were injured when police used batons to disperse them.
With its support for the ceasefire, the Hurriyat has been caught between the opposition of Kashmir's fighters and the Indian government's refusal to consider tripartite talks with Pakistan and the Kashmiris.
In Muzaffarabad, in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on Sunday, the main opposition group Hizbul Mujahideen renewed its refusal to back the ceasefire.
"We do not believe in ceasefire for the sake of ceasefire, nor do we believe in peace for the sake of peace" Hizbul spokesman Salim Hashmi said.
In an implicit warning to the Hurriyat, he added: "The Hizbul Mujahideen will not allow any person, whatever might be his stature, to betray the noble cause of the Kashmiris.
"We are struggling for freedom which itself brings peace. The Hizbul Mujahideen is monitoring each and every development and will not allow betrayal of the blood of the martyrs by any one, regardless of his stature."
Hashmi said India was trying to throw dust in to eyes of the international community through its ceasefire announcement.
"Let it be clear to the world that there is no ceasefire on the part of New Delhi in the Indian occupied territory. India is as usual engaged in killings, arson and looting there."
Overnight, suspected Kashmiri fighters shot dead three Indian army informers in separate attacks in the towns of Beerwah, Handwara and Gandherbal.
The Hurriyat on Sunday reiterated that it was ready to talk to the governments of India and Pakistan, insisting resolution of the Kashmir issue could only be brought about "through negotiations among all the basic parties."
"The Hurriyat will participate in all such comprehensive, purposeful and result-oriented negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute in Kashmir," it said.
"The Hurriyat should be given the opportunity to travel to Pakistan with the purpose of trying to translate the fragile peace initiative into reality."
The Hurriyat insists India would have to accept Pakistan in any talks aimed at seeking a long-term solution to the Kashmir issue.
"Kashmir is a dispute and it is not India's internal matter," the Hurriyat said.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said he was "satisfied with the positive reaction" of the Hurriyat to his ceasefire offer and "might allow some of its members" to travel to Pakistan, according to the Press Trust of India.
Vajpayee also told Star News on Sunday that India would begin talks with Pakistan only after violence in the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir stopped.
"There is pressure to talk to them [Pakistan]. We are ready for talks, but this violence, killings and terrorism should stop," Vajpayee told the TV channel.
Vajpayee said there has been some peace on the border but that military positions were still being attacked.
The conflict against Indian rule in Kashmir has claimed more than 34,000 lives since 1989.
India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the groups in Kashmir. Islamabad denies the charge but extends open moral and diplomatic support to what it views as the Kashmiris' legitimate struggle for self-determination.
Vajpayee last month announced suspension of military operations in Kashmir during the month of Ramadan. On Saturday the government said it could consider extending the ceasefire.
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