Kashmir Sentinel: April 1st--May 31st, 2001

DOCUMENT
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Akhil Bharatiya Partinidhi Sabha, Delhi (March 16, 17, 18 2001), Sewa Dham Vidya Mandir, Mandoli, Delhi.

Resolution No. 04 Jammu & Kashmir

The ABPS (Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha) feels extremely perturbed over the recent happenings in the state of J&K in general and in the Kashmir valley in particular. The governments' decision of unilateral cease-fire did not, however, bring about the desired results. It is true that hostilities on the LoC have declined but there was no let up in the terrorist activities in the Valley. Along with targeting the civilian population, as it is evident from the killings of the innocent Sikhs, terrorist groups have, during the intervening period, become so audacious as to strike at the security installations and forces. In fact, three months should have been a sufficient time for experimentation; but the government in its wisdom thought it fit to extend the time frame of the cease-fire. Though the ABPS has no reason to doubt the government's assessment of the situation, it would like to emphasis that the ceasefire is not an end in itself. ABPS, therefore wants to emphasis, that a dialogue with those outfits, that are really interested in peace through negotiations be started at the earliest, and at the same time insurgent terrorism he put down with an iron hand, giving the security forces the freedom of decision and action, including the destruction of the terrorist training centres in PoK.

The ABPS also takes note of the other dimensions of the problem in J&K besides insurgent terrorism. Acutely suffering from discriminatory and partisan policies of the State government, for the last more than half a century, a demand for Union Territory status for Ladakh and an agitation for the separate statehood for Jammu are getting stronger by each day. There is also problem of rehabilitating the Kashmiri Hindus who have been uprooted from their homes, because of a rabidly communal mindset of a large section of Kashmiri Muslims.

In view of the various aspects of this intricate situation, ABPS requests the Sarkaryavaha to set up a committee that will examine the problem in detail and in depth, and make recommendations to the ABKM (Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal) within two months. The committee's recommendations will be placed before the ABKM meeting in coming July.

Following is the full text of the government statement on Kashmir:

"The Government of India had declared unilaterally a policy of non-initiation of combat operations in J&K with a view to lowering the levels of violence and creating an atmosphere conducive to commencement of a peace process in the troubled State.

Despite the continuing violence on the part of some predominantly non-Kashmiri terrorist groups, the Government is gratified to note that there is an unmistakable ground swell for peace among the people of J&K. In order to promote a vigorous movement towards establishment of peace and tranquility, the government has decided to embark upon a political dialogue with all sections of the peace loving people of the State including those who are currently outside it.

The dialogue from the side of the Government of India will be held by Sh. KC Pant, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission. It is hoped that representatives of all walks of life from among the people of J&K will be partners in this dialogue.

More specifically, it is expected that, beside the J&K government, all political parties, Non-Government Organis-ations, Trade unions, social and religious bodies from all the regions of the State will participate. The government invites people of goodwill who desire restoration of peace and normalcy in the State to come forward to participate in the dialogue".

'The government notes that the APHC has all along taken the position that talks should be unconditional. Now that the government has agreed to hold talks in the interest of early restoration of peace, it is for the APHC to consider whether it would not be inconsistent for them to set preconditions for the dialogue. The doors are open for them to join in the talks. The doors are also not closed for Kashmiri organisations which are currently engaged in militancy in the State but are desirous of peace.

The agenda for the dialogue briefly stated is 'peace and how it may be attained in the troubled State'. All aspects bearing on this theme will be relevant to the dialogue.

The Government of India takes notes of the frequently repeated requests from Pakistan that they are eager for a dialogue with India on J&K. The Government of India re-affirms its faith in such a bilateral dialogue and hopes that Pakistan will help in its resumption by curbing cross-border terrorism and putting an end to the vicious anti-India propaganda managing from Pakistan. This will be accordance with the Shimla agreement and the spirit of the Lahore declaration.

The road to pace is not without serious obstacles: one such is continuing violence against the innocent people of J&K. To reduce this violence security forces have been directed to vigorously conduct operations against those who disturb the peace and victimize the innocent people of J&K, while at the same time ensuring that the population at large is spared undue hardships or harassment.

The government expects that all right thinking people in the State will join hands with the government and march purposefully in quest of the peace which has eluded them for the last 12 years. It is only in an atmosphere of peace that an agreed solution for the J&K issue can be evolved."