ADDRESSING a press conference on August 16, 2011 in Srinagar, CPI (M) state secretary M Y Tarigami said that the central government had announced the appointment of interlocutors to “address the political issues in J&K.” While their work is appreciable during past one year, it is now essential that a political initiative by prime minister himself has to come. The efforts of the interlocutors for resolving political issues can be fruitful only when a dialogue process with forces of dissent in J&K is started by the PM. The 8-point CBM’s announced by the centre on September 25 last year were meant to provide relief and instill a sense of security and confidence in the people of J&K. But it is disappointing to see that most of the people-friendly measures mentioned in the 8-point CBM’s are yet to be implemented. For example:
a. The centre had advised the J&K government to release students and youth who have been arrested or detained for stone pelting and similar violations of law during the Valley unrest, and withdraw all charges against them. But it is unfortunate that, some youth (arrested last year) continue to be either under detention, or cases not withdrawn against them.
b. The state government had been advised to review cases of all PSA detenues and withdraw detention orders in appropriate cases. But not many PSA cases have been reviewed and thus some people continue to be in jails, who otherwise might deserve some leniency.
c. The centre had advised the state government to immediately convene a meeting of the Unified Command and review the deployment of the security forces in Kashmir valley, especially at Srinagar, but not much has been done on this account. Particularly, the security forces continue to be deployed in disproportionate numbers in rural areas of Kashmir. Their heavy presence, (in view of the markedly improved situation, as repeatedly being stated by security agencies) does not go in sync with changed security situation.
d. The state government was advised to review the notification of areas as "Disturbed Areas." But nothing concrete has been done in this regard. The withdrawal of Disturbed Areas notification in the areas where security situation has improved, would have served as an important CBM. But it seems that the important issue has been put at the back burner, despite assurances by the home minister while announcing the 8-point CBM’s last year.
INQUIRY INTO CIVILIAN KILLINGS
Many civilian lives were lost in the last year’s turmoil. The government had announced a probe into some of the killings, but nothing is known about that. The government should inform the people that at what stage the inquiry into civilian deaths is. The complaints about non-cooperation by police or CRPF should be looked into and a fair and impartial probe ensured.
FRESH ARRESTS OF YOUTH
Some newspaper reports suggest police is arresting youth on charges of stone pelting and violations of prohibitory orders. While law should take its own course in case any violations of law take place, but there should not be any rampant arrest of youth. It is alleged that police has conducted nocturnal raids, mostly in downtown Srinagar, in search of some youth. Any action by police which creates panic and harassment among youth or their families should immediately be stopped.
INDO-PAK DIALOGUE
The recent foreign minister-level talks between India and Pakistan is welcome. People of J&K are the biggest beneficiaries of cordial relations between the two countries, hence the people of J&K want an impetus to the ongoing dialogue processes at various levels between the two. Moreover, the two countries have to ensure result-oriented talks which will provide relief to the people of both the countries. CBMs decided in recently held meeting of foreign ministers in New Delhi are quite inadequate, abstractions regarding free travel and trade across LOC must be removed.
HUNGER STRIKE OF CONTRACT LECTURERS
The contract lecturers are on hunger strike since last more than two weeks. The government should give up its stubborn attitude and reach out to the striking teachers. Teachers are building our future, so they should be heard and respected. The government should immediately initiate talks with the striking contractual lecturers and have a compassionate view of their demands.
Tarigami said the arrest of Anna Hazare and the ban on the hunger strike in Delhi is highly condemnable. This is an attack on the democratic rights of citizens to protest peacefully. Corruption is rampant at every level and has assumed dangerous proportions. Along with the law for setting up an independent Lokpal, comprehensive measures to strengthen the legal and administrative frame work against corruption are required both at national and state level.
Courtesy: People's Democracy
