Separatists likely to meet PM on Jan 17

JAMMU, Jan 2: The just concluded visit of Kashmiri separatist leaders to Pakistan is likely to turn a new leaf in the history of conflict ridden J&K state and it is most likely that the much hyped and controversial visit of Mirwaiz group may prove a turning point as for the re-alignment of political forces ahead of 2014 elections was concerned. Though the Hurriyat leaders are tight lipped over what actually transpired between them and the Pakistani leadership during their week long visit to that country, however, post-visit events suggest that visit has concluded on something very serious but positive in ramifications. The visit of the moderate separatists was discussed critically and otherwise in all its assumptions and presumptions but post-visit events are shaping in a way which suggest that the Pakistani leadership has conveyed in unambiguous terms to the separatists to make their presence felt politically. And when Pakistan Peoples Party leadership asks Kashmiri separatist leaders to prove their worth politically, the message is loud and clear. A section of watchers have started comparing moderate separatists visit to Pakistan with that of late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah's maiden visit to Pakistan in May, 1964.

However, as on today we have no access to what Hurriyat leaders discussed in Pakistan and what brief they were carrying from New-Delhi, however, what happened during Sheikh's visit to Pakistan is in the public domain. One would essentially presume that if Hurriyat's baggage was exactly what late Sheikh had carried in 1962-64 it is easy to understand the dynamics of the visit. But these are only assumptions and assumptions can't always be true. However, two things have emerged very clearly. One, the Pakistani establishment has advised the separatists that Pakistan waspre-occupied with its eco-political and regional issues so engagement in Kashmir at this point of time was not possible. Two, the leaders have been told to explore the possibilities of their engagement with New-Delhi and subsequently make their presence felt politically.

It is being said that areas of influence of each individual separatist was discussed in one of the meetings and Mirwaiz and Bilal Lone were rated as the only two separatists having influence in their respective areas. It is also being said that not much attention was given to other members of the Hurriyat delegation. And this the only difference between this visit of separatists and that of late sheikh, because sheikh at that point of time was representing a rainbow of amalgamation including the vast Indian constituency and entire Jammu and Kashmir. However, in a perceptional pro India scenario, moderate Kashmiri face has a space and in that context it can be said with some degree of authority that under this scenario when Pakistan is ridden with internal and external problems, the separatists have been told to chose their own way.

But alas! Last word in politics is never said. After all whom they (separatists) are representing when the fact of the matter is that they are not as towering as Sheikh who would represent even Indian state, they are not so popular that they could represent Kashmir, and they do not even represent themselves because the extremist constituency in India, Pakistan and back home in Kashmir who don't have any stakes in dialogue are potentially powerful to derail the process and even dislodge the political leadership.

All said and done Hurriyat leaders have expressed satisfaction on their visit exactly the way Sheikh Abdullah described his visit to Pakistan a peace mission of exploratory nature in 1964. Meanwhile Hurriyat leaders are all set to meet Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and well placed sources said that decks for the meeting have been cleared. Sources even said that Mirwaiz and his associates are likely to meet Dr. Singh in New-Delhi on January17.

Sourcehttp://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=103104