‘Set up an intellectual group that should talk to India, Pak'

Hakeem Irfan
Srinagar Nov 14: With the civil society members and separatist leaders rejecting any bilateral or triangular dialogue with New Delhi, veteran separatist leaders Shabir Shah and Muhammad Yaseen Malik Saturday proposed civil society’s engagement with New Delhi and Islamabad at track-II level.
“Leaders don't need to engage in dialogue with New Delhi at this juncture. Let our experts and civil society members meet representatives in New Delhi and Islamabad to know what exactly they want,” said Hurriyat (M)

executive member Shabir Shah while speaking during a day-long international seminar on ‘Global Discourse on Resolution of Kashmir Dispute’ organized by Jammu Kashmir High Court Bar Association, here.
Reiterating that Hurriyat’s 1993 constitution and 2008 agreement between two Hurriyat factions is ‘sacrosanct’, Shah said, “Quiet diplomacy is not acceptable to us. We will do everything in open. We will not allow any sell-out at any level. Those, who have gone astray at any level, must be brought back on the right track.”
He said no solution within Indian constitution will be acceptable to Hurriyat conference.
JKLF chairman Muhammad Yaseen Malik suggested involvement of civil society members with New Delhi and Islamabad. “Let 20-25 intellectuals and experts come together and meet people in New Delhi and Islamabad at track-II level. They will be accountable to the people and leadership and can save leaders from any suspicion,” said Yaseen while addressing the gathering.
Levelling allegations against the separatist cadres, JKLF chairman alleged that 90 percent of the freedom activists are taking money from Dullat and still talking about jihad and other things.
“Kashmir movement needs to be institutionalized for better results. We have to create institutions and think-tank needs to be utilized here,” he said.
Maintaining that outside support is necessary,  Malik said, “We are fighting war in isolation. We can’t win it. Resistance needs to be consolidated on non-violent and democratic lines.”
Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani rejected any dialogue process with India unless and until it accepts disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir, starts demilitarization, repeals draconian laws, releases prisoners and starts tripartite talks.
“India was never sincere about any sort of dialogue process. We cannot participate in meaningless and useless exercise. People should themselves think and speak about those, who are participating in such futile exercise,” said the ailing octogenarian leader.
Reacting to a statement from a speaker that inclusion of tripartite talks in Hurriyat constitution is a compromise, Geelani said, “Tripartite talks were included only after JKLF said their stand on independence is not accommodated.”
Urging Pakistan to continue their support to Kashmir movement, he said, “Pakistan government should not talk to India for some compromised solution of Kashmir issue. The Kashmir issue should be resolved as per wishes and aspirations of people of the State”
Geelani also stressed on geographical unity of the state. “Jammu people should start some sort of activity, that could be taken further,” he said.
Jama’at Islami supremo Sheikh Muhammad Hassan said no triangular talks will be accepted. “It is just a ploy. Why don’t we concentrate directly on tripartite talks? We will accept no forced or compromised solution.”
Dukhtaran-I-Milat chairperson Asiya Andrabi said, “We know who is talking to whom and where. We won’t allow any compromise. We believe in Right to self determination and won’t accept anything short of it.”
“Omar Abdullah, Mahbooba Mufti and others are just laborers of New Delhi,” she alleged.
Hurriyat (M) provincial president Nayeem Khan said the alliance is not possible with NC, PDP and other pro India parties. “Their hands are gilded with blood of masses.”
In his presidential remarks, Bar Association president Mian Qayoom said, “Hurriyat constitution never allows going for any sort of triangular dialogue. Even tripartite talks are an option only after the first option of RSD is proved to be a failure practically.”
JKLF (R) senior leader Javed Ahmed Mir, Muslim League Chairman Mushtaq ul Islam, Muslim Conference (G) leader Qazi Irshad also spoke on the occasion.
Prime Minister of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) Raja Farooq Haider, speaker of PaK assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir and Tajamul Islam addressed the gathering over phone.
Papers sent by different participants including Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Lord Nazir Ahmed, N A Shawl, Inayatullah Andrabi and others, who could not make it to the conference, were also read by Bar Association members.
Prof Zahooruddin from Jammu expressed concern over neglecting Jammu region. “We don't’ want second partition to happen. We have to take every section of society in consideration,” he said.
Civil society member and senior advocate Parvez Imroz, academician Prof Hameeda Nayeem, columnist ZG Muhammad stressed on the institutionalization of Kashmir movement and urged the leadership to unite for effective results.