Prashant Sood
Tribune News ServiceNew Delhi, April 30
Calling for "general amnesty" to all those in jails,
participants of the “intra-JK heart-to-heart talks” here today
appealed to parliamentarians and civil society of India and Pakistan to
take the peace process to its "logical end".
A joint statement read out at the end of the second round of these talks by former PoK president and prime minister Mohammad Abdul Qayyum recommended that old historical links between the two sides of Kashmir, including "pony, road and rail routes" which existed before 1947, should be reopened. It said to further facilitate the movement across the LoC, arrangements for travel, which existed before 1956, should be restored. Qayyum said that earlier deputy commissioners on the two sides had the authority to issue travel documents.
The PoK leader, who did not use terms like "militants" or "safe passage", said that "those suffering in jails or still present in J and K may be given an opportunity to return home". Asked if he meant militants, Mr Qayuum said it also included political detainees.
Qayyum said general amnesty to those in jails will provide them a chance to start a new life. "This will promote the peace process," he said.
The statement said that coordination committees of legislators, women, youth and students shall be constituted shortly to strengthen the dialogue among the people on both sides of the LoC. Asked if leaders of the Hurriyat Conference will be involved, Qayuum said there could be meetings of prominent personalities on the two sides. Answering queries, Qayyum, who was accompanied by Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh, said the situation will see a significant change if there was no obstruction to the movement of people and trade flourished between the two parts of the state.
Responding to a query about the reported remarks of the United Jehad Council, Qayyum said there was no contradiction in his statements which may have been misreported and misunderstood.
He suggested that those weilding guns should also be involved in the dialogue process. Rejecting the possibility of independence of Kashmir, he said it was nearly impossible to conceive a new independent Muslim majority state in the present geo-politics and it would require opening agreements concerning partition.
