People's Democracy

JAMMU & KASHMIR

CPI(M) Memorandum To Vohra

WHILE searching a solution to the Kashmir problem, it has to be noted that the state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) comprises a mini-federal polity, where wide diversities of religion, language, climate, culture, customs and traditions exist side by side. The three distinct regions of the state, viz Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh, were welded together by a long historical process. In this backdrop, the supreme interest of the people of all the regions lies in the continuing unity of the state and any solution that evolves must strengthen this unity. That, indeed, means a secular democratic solution that alone can fulfil the genuine inter-regional and intra-regional aspirations and serve as a guarantee for the harmonious development of the state.

This was the opinion expressed by the J&K state unit of the CPI(M) in a memorandum recently presented to N N Vohra, the centre’s interlocutor for talks with various political parties and groups in the state. Vohra was sent to the state in the background of the announcements made by prime minister A B Vajpayee from Srinagar during his visit to the state last month.

Saying that the prime minister’s announcements have generated wide hopes about restoration of peace in the state, the CPI(M) memorandum, presented by its state secretary M Y Tarigami, said a “meaningful dialogue with the representatives of the people, the separatists and others can certainly pave the way” for restoration of peace and normalcy despite all odds.

The memorandum said the role of the government of India at this juncture assumes great significance. The question of restoration of peace in the state is inseparably linked with an enduring peace in the subcontinent. In this context, talking of pre-emptive strikes against a neighbouring country may only complicate the situation, thus creating further impediments in the path of a lasting settlement of issues. Also, the burning problems in J&K cannot be postponed indefinitely. Lakhs of state’s educated youth are facing the rigours of acute unemployment. Many of them have been languishing in prisons for prolonged periods, without even a shred of evidence, and many continue to remain in detention despite orders of release by competent courts. Hundreds have disappeared without a trace and their hopeless parents are desperate to know their fate. A large number of bereaved families, the unfortunate victims of violence, need relief and rehabilitation. The smashed infrastructure of the state is in immediate need of restoration.

The CPI(M) further said the mass exodus of Kashmiri pandits from the valley, in the wake of widespread violence, has torn apart the social fabric there, shaking the very foundation of the “Kashmiri ethos.” Dialogue and inter-community interaction is required to redeem the damage already done.

“The government of India, in such extraordinary circumstances, needs to come out with special economic and political packages for the state,” the CPI(M) pointed out. It then added that “the state government needs to be encouraged in the implementation of its Common Minimum Programme after enlisting the cooperation and support of other political parties and groups in the valley.”

Saying that the policy of status quo has failed to bring back normalcy and peace in the state, the memorandum said the government of India needs to take a “fresh initiative and imaginative measures to abandon the beaten tracks and build new paths, which can enthuse the common man in the state towards a new beginning.” The intense sufferings and miseries of the people in J&K require that we leave behind rigid postures, dogmatic approaches and partisan interests. The memorandum said, “All of us need to join together to end the human tragedy, which is Kashmir today,” and concluded with an appeal to all shades of opinion in and outside to undertake this task.