People's Democracy

JAMMU & KASHMIR

CPI(M) Suggests Way Out Of Impasse

WITH the two neighbouring countries, India and Pakistan, showing distinct signs of a thaw in their long-frozen relations, the people of the subcontinent and especially of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) have heaved a sigh of relief, in the hope that the windows of dialogue and doors of diplomacy may open up after a long, dark period of tumult and tragedy. Undoubtedly, the swing from a futile hostility to an upsurge of rising expectations reflects an undercurrent of the longing for peace and cooperation at the ground level in both the countries. The need of the hour is to grasp the opportunity and sustain the momentum.

This was the considered opinion the J&K state committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expressed through a statement issued by the party’s state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on May 16.

The statement recalled the 4-point formula put forward by the party as early as on January 9, 2001, delineating the confidence-building measures required to open up fresh space for substantive negotiations that may lead up to the settlement of issues. Of these four suggestions that have not lost any of their relevance even today, two were for the government of Pakistan, which seemed to have shown an interest in the then existing ceasefire. The formula demanded that the government of Pakistan must (1) effectively use its authority and influence to persuade the armed groups operating from its soil, to desist from violent activities; and (2) release all political prisoners and ensure democratic rights in the Pak-administered Kashmir including the northern areas.

The formula also urged the government of India that, while trying to make the then existing ceasefire a permanent feature, it should gradually reduce the size of security forces involved in internal security. In this regard, the other two suggestions concerning the government of India were that (3) it must initiate measures to provide fair and prompt trial to all detenues languishing in prisons, release all those against whom no evidence were found at the trial, and provide substantive relief to the victims of violence, irrespective of their affiliations; and (4) facilitate the return of youth, who wanted to lead a peaceful life, to their homes from the other side of the line of control (LoC).

The state CPI(M)’s recent statement urged the governments of both India and Pakistan that they should create conducive conditions for the people living on two sides of the LoC to meet each other without undue hurdles. Suitable mechanism for easy travel has to be evolved. Besides, the exchange of cultural groups and teams between the people on the two sides of the LoC needs be encouraged and ensured.

The CPI(M) has also urged upon all political parties, groups and other such platforms in the state, particularly the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), to initiate effective steps for a dignified return of pundits and other migrants, and raise their voice against the killings of the innocent civilians and of the political activists of all shades.

The CPI(M) is of the view that, in context of the fresh initiatives by the two governments, there is a need to seriously reconsider the suggestions it made two years ago. This, however, is not to lose sight of the new experiences gained during the interregnum.

Saying that humanity is today facing a deep crisis in J&K and in the entire subcontinent, the recent CPI(M) statement pointed out that the all-pervading violence in the state has torn apart the social fabric. Men and women have lost dignity, and children their innocence. Lakhs of youth are without gainful employment; the state’s economy is in ruins. There is an erosion of positive values; a wave of degeneration is catching up.

In order to deliver the state’s people from this morass, the leadership in the subcontinent, including J&K, has to move beyond symbolisms and help create a movement of peace and reconciliation to bring the people closer. As for Jammu & Kashmir, all political parties and groups, representing diverse opinions, need to rise above partisan and narrow considerations and play a positive role in this process. It must also be noted that the unity of this multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-region state is the best guarantee of its strength, security and bright future. Any effort to bifurcate or trifurcate the state would be a sure recipe for disaster, the CPI(M) statement warned.

Admitting that the path of dialogue, peace and friendship can be painstaking, time-consuming and beset with ups and downs, the statement said there is no need to be disappointed as there is no royal road to success other than that of debate and discussion.

The CPI(M) reiterated its position that there can be no cut and dried formula for a solution to the issues involved. The solution has to emerge out of a process. The party said the following further measures need to be taken so as to take the process ahead. 

(1) The two countries must rapidly restore their relations as they existed prior to December 13, 2001, and renew the process initiated at Agra.

(2) They must take confidence-building measures to create a conducive atmosphere for resolution of issues, and concrete steps to foster economic cooperation, cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts between them.

(3) They must take initiatives to effect a ceasefire between the Indian security forces and Pak-supported armed groups, and set up a meaningful monitoring mechanism for its implementation.

(4) There must be a non-governmental commission, enjoying credibility and complete trust of the civil society in J&K, to conduct an enquiry into the manner, methods and motivations behind the thousands of killings and atrocities committed in the state over the last 14 years; to identify the agencies and individuals responsible for such killings and atrocities; and to suggest appropriate punishment to the guilty and recompense to the survivors.

(5) Both the governments must ensure a respect for human rights of all the people living on the two sides of the LoC.

(6) Steps must be taken to revitalise the ruined economy and restore the devastated infrastructure in the state. The absorption of unemployed youth of Jammu & Kashmir, with the aid and cooperation of the state government, must be the primary responsibility of the government of India.