In an exclusive interview to the IPCS, Mir Saifullah, MLA Kupwara, and Ab Ahad, District President of JKLF in Kupwara, speak to Amin Masoodi regarding the latest political developments in the state.

Mir Saifullah, MLA Kupwara

·         How do you see Indo-Pak peace diplomacy? Does this contribute to a resolution of the Kashmir issue?

This will help the two countries to resolve issues other than Kashmir. Diplomatic and political ties between the two would improve in the context of this development. Earlier, the Lahore bus service and other initiatives could not help the two countries to come to the negotiation table vis-à-vis Kashmir. Unless and until the two countries bring flexibility into their stances and come forward generously, the issue cannot be resolved.

·         Is the Hurriyat Conference the real representatives of the Kashmiri people?

Whosoever is the representative of the people, separatists or Hurriyat Conference, should be taken into consideration before initiation of a dialogue between the two countries. Kashmir issue must be addressed in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiris who are at the receiving end of violence and bloodshed. Kashmir is not a commodity but a serious issue, which is responsible for the instability in peace and prosperity in the two countries.

·         Has the Mufti Government been able to bring some changes on the ground? How do you view the “healing touch” policy of this government?

The coalition government has not been able to bring any change on the ground. It came to power due to the promises it made to people which encompasses the long-awaited restoration of peace in the Valley, eradication of human rights violations, disbanding of the SOG, addressing unemployment to a great extent, and elimination of corruption and extortion. But everything has remained in the same state as earlier. There are 165,000 highly qualified unemployed youth. The government has just made a fanfare of distribution of appointment orders to the victims of violence under SRO 43 which is nothing new. Earlier, the National Conference government used to make such appointments through concerned Deputy Commissioners. But today, same appointments are being made by ministers and other dignitaries with much fanfare. Even Sonia Gandhi on her visit to Baramulla handed over appointment orders to beneficiaries with fanfare.

The recent demolition drive rendered many people jobless. A majority of these people managed to run their trade through Self-employment schemes facilitated by the government.   

·         Does the presence of foreign militants aggravate the resolution of the Kashmir issue or does it contribute to its resolution?

More than 80,000 people have been martyred in the last 13 years of turmoil. 10-12 people die every day in violence related incidents. Gun is no solution for Kashmir. Kashmir issue should be resolved in accordance with the wishes of the people of the state. Even those who fight with guns in their hands should not be ignored in any dialogue process between two countries.

·         In your opinion, what should both the countries do vis-à-vis Kashmir?

To be exact, there are two options which can guarantee resolution of the Kashmir issue. First, Pakistan should leave Azad Kashmir, and India, Jammu and Kashmir. Both regions would emerge as independent states. Second, if greater autonomy is granted to both regions, then people of both regions would be able to share trade and all other ties. This may restore peace in both regions, especially Jammu and Kashmir. 

·         Do you think “Independent Kashmir” would be a viable solution to the Kashmir issue? For that matter, how do you see Accession to Pakistan? If greater autonomy is granted to Kashmir, would it be a viable solution to Kashmir issue? Can conversion of LOC into ‘International Border’ serve the purpose?

‘Independent Kashmir’ would be an ideal solution to the Kashmir dispute. Every Kashmiri would welcome it.  As an independent state, Kashmir would flourish and prosper in due course of time. Tourism sector here can generate tremendous revenue.

Accession to Pakistan would not satisfy a majority in the state. Kashmiris do not want to be slaves anymore. Although greater autonomy to Kashmir would enable people of the two regions to interact and share trade, it would not be a complete solution to the Kashmir problem. Conversion of LOC into an International Border would be a futile exercise in this direction. 

·         Is there any role for the US or UN in resolving the Kashmir issue?

The US has always had a role in the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Being a superpower, the US can pressurize both countries to address the issue. It has a great say in the world and Kashmir is no exception. I understand it is because of American pressure that both countries have taken the initiative of opening their air spaces, resuming the Lahore bus service, and improving other ties.

I don’t see any role for the UN in resolving Kashmir issue. It is a puppet in the hands of the US.

Ab Ahad, District President of JKLF in Kupwara

·         On the Mufti Government:

The government has failed to provide good governance. No detenue has been released barring a few leaders. The government has befooled the masses by false promises. There are increasing human rights violations and custodial killings continue.  

·         The healing touch:

The government has been very much vocal about its “healing touch” policy. However, there are no changes on the ground since it took over.  The Government is just making a fanfare of distribution of cheques to the victims of violence. The previous Govt. also used to distribute cheques through concerned Deputy Commissioners.         

·         Independent Kashmir, Accession to Pakistan, Greater Autonomy to Kashmir, Conversion of LOC into International Border:

Our party (JKLF) has reiterated time and again that ‘Independent Kashmir’ would be a lasting solution to the dispute. Majority believes in independence from India. There are not much believers of accession to Pakistan. Conversion of LOC into International border would not prove to be a solution to the dispute. Greater autonomy may satisfy a few people but cannot end the impasse between the two countries. 

·         Presence of foreign militants:

They have offered their lives. More than 80,000 people have been martyred by Indian security forces. Their role seems to be over. The leadership has to shoulder the responsibility and take every possible step to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue and put an end to the increasing violence and bloodshed in the Valley.

·         Role of US and UN:

Definitely, there is a role for the US in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.  American intervention is already there. As far as the UN is concerned, it is an instrument in the hands of America. Unless America wants the United Nations to play a role in the Kashmir issue, the UN would not be able to voice its concerns.   

·         Hurriyat’s representative character:

Hurriyat represents the sentiments of the people. People have faith in the Hurriyat.

·         Indo-Pak Dialogue:

Although both countries have been resuming and snapping ties in the past, at this point of time, both countries seem to be a little serious vis-à-vis Kashmir. We hope the two countries would not let this opportunity go away.   

It appears that Mufti government has to bring about drastic changes in the administration to provide good governance to the people of the state. People’s version apart, even those in government admit to misdoings by the State government. A case in point is MLA Kupwara. There are two changes to be brought about to bring fairness into the system. The first is to eradicate corruption, which is the main factor affecting the people of the strife-torn Valley and contributes to growing hatred against the government. Second, unemployment is assuming alarming proportions and should be addressed. A closer look into the government’s performance reveals that its recently undertaken demolition drive has added to its unpopularity. This drive rendered thousands jobless.

On the political front, the government cannot ignore the Hurriyat (a party to the dispute) and other separatist groups. No doubt, the Hurriyat is not all powerful but has some influence in the Valley. NN Vohra’s visit to Kashmir could have proved purposeful if it had been involved in the talks.    The Mufti government has to ensure a good relationship with Hurriyat and other parties to act as a bridge between the two countries. The government on its own cannot resolve the Kashmir issue.

The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has always demanded the independence of Kashmir. The party founder, Maqbool Bhat, was the first to raise the slogan of independent Kashmir. Bhat was hanged. The party is now headed by Yasin Malik, a senior member of the Hurriyat Conference, who presses for an independent Kashmir, a view reflected by the majority. The other parties, including Sajad Gani Lone’s Peoples Conference, Fazal Haq Qureshi’s Peoples Patriotic Front and Hashim Qureshi’s Democratic Liberation Party, all advocate an independent Kashmir as a lasting solution to the dispute.

Sayeed Ali Geelani’s Jammati Islami, Professor Bhat’s (Chairman APHC) Muslim Conference, Awami Action Committee of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Ittiha-dul-Muslimeen of Abbas Ansari plead for accession to Pakistan, which appeals to a few persons.

Shabir Shah’s Democratic Freedom Party seems to be a victim of contradictions in its stand vis-à-vis the Kashmir issue.  The Party, at times, speaks of accession to Pakistan, and sometimes advocates an ‘Independent Kashmir’ as a viable solution to the dispute. Nayeem Khan’s National Front prefers a resolution of Kashmir according to the UN resolution.