Search the Internet            Tips

Lone opts out of Hurriyat team to Pakistan

Indicating a growing rift in Jammu & Kashmir's main separatist alliance, Abdul Gani Lone, senior executive member of the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, said on Monday that he would not visit Pakistan to hold talks with leaders of militant organisations and the military government.

The statement came a day ahead of the crucial APHC executive council meeting. Lone, considered a moderate in the separatist conglomerate, launched a scathing attack on the hardliners.

Addressing a working committee meeting of the Jammu & Kashmir People's Conference in Srinagar, Lone said some so-called separatist groups had launched an unfounded campaign against him, but he would continue to work for the unity of the people of Kashmir.

Referring indirectly to certain terrorist outfits, he said some people talk about hoisting flags on the Red Fort and the White House. "Why hoist flags on the Red Fort and the White House through the road of Kashmir," he remarked. "By the time they succeed or fail in their experiment of hoisting flags, I am afraid there will be total destruction in Kashmir."

Lone said the world had recognised the Kashmir dispute, a fact the Centre could not ignore. "The Indian government wanted to sabotage our freedom struggle and laid traps," he charged. "We have to take every step with caution." He said the Centre would not be allowed to succeed in its plan.

Referring to the Centre's offer of talks with the Hurriyat, Lone said there had been no talks between the two as yet, "nor does the Centre appear serious about talks".

He said certain elements had launched a campaign that "we have sold out", an apparent reference to supporters of the pro-Pakistan constituents of the APHC, who had raised the slogan, "Saudabazi nahi chalegi" (no sellout will be tolerated) outside its headquarters on December 17.

Terming these elements "contractors of religion", Lone said they, whether in Jammu & Kashmir or across the Line of Control, "are bent upon burying the political approach of the People's Conference on the pretext of a threat to Islam".

He said peace "will be a bigger jihad" (holy war) at this crucial moment.

Lone said, "It is a big tragedy that the so-called pro-movement elements are after me. They were after me even during the election campaign [Lone had contested the elections and was a minister in the Congress ministry in the state many years ago] and were levelling baseless allegations about my religious beliefs."

Referring to his recent visit to Pakistan, Lone said that before and during the visit, he had not reacted to the criticism against him. "I have not only controlled my sentiments and prestige, but have at times buried it in the interests of the movement."

But, he said, "I will keep the facts before my fellow countrymen, if necessary, at an appropriate time."

The working committee of the People's Conference unanimously adopted a resolution calling for strengthening the APHC and maintaining unity at all costs.

Meanwhile, in Islamabad, the Hizbul Mujahideen asked the Hurriyat leadership to make clear its agenda before coming to Pakistan for talks.

The Hizb, a leading Kashmiri terrorist organisation, said the conglomerate of separatist parties in the state could not play the role of a mediator between India and Pakistan.

Hizb spokesman Salim Hashmi told the Press Trust of India that it would be advisable for the Hurriyat leadership to clarify its agenda before coming to Pakistan.

His remarks came a day after Hizb chief Syed Salahuddin said in a newspaper interview that the Hurriyat should not insist on militant groups accepting India's unilateral ceasefire in Jammu & Kashmir.

Lone had said on Sunday that the Hurriyat team's proposed visit to Pakistan was aimed at persuading the terrorists to respond positively to New Delhi's truce.

"Hurriyat claims to be the representative of Kashmiris who are an important party to the Kashmir problem. Therefore, in the capacity of being a party to the dispute, Hurriyat cannot play the role of a mediator between India and Pakistan," he said.

Signalling the Hizb's disapproval of the arrival of former Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front leader Hashim Qureshi in India at this juncture, Hashmi said, "The Hizb does not consider it a new thing. On one hand, they invited Qureshi and on the other India announced panchayat elections [in Jammu & Kashmir]."

Agencies

RELATED INTERVIEW:
'If the BJP cannot solve the J&K problem, no other party can'

The Government's Ceasefire: The complete coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report