Afsana's investigative report is interesting and yet not surprising
(Ms. Afsana Rashid, 29, was born and raised in Srinagar and attended the Minto Circle High School. She graduated from the Government College for Women with a Bachelor's degree in science, and completed her post-graduation degree from the University of Kashmir, obtaining her Master's Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. She has received numerous world-wide recognition and awards for covering economic depravation and gender sensitive issues in Kashmiri journals, which include Sanjoy Ghose Humanitarian Award, Bhorukha Trust Media Award 2007, and the 2006-07 UNFPA-Ladli Media Award. Her work on "Impact of conflict on subsistence livelihood of marginalised communities in Kashmir and Alternatives", was recognized by Action Aid India in 2005-06. She has travelled abroad attending a workshop on "conflict Reporting" by Thomson Foundation, Cardiff, UK, and a seminar for women in conflict areas by IKV Pax Christi, Netherlands. In February 2008, she compiled a book, "Waiting for Justice: Widows and Half-widows.")
New Delhi in contact with Separatists
Afsana Rashid
Srinagar: The Government of India (GOI) is in constant touch with some of the separatist leaders who have been arrested more than a week ago and New Delhi is hopeful that some breakthrough would be achieved while taking on board these people while traversing on the path aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue.
Highly placed sources told this newspaper that the GOI wants to take on board important separatist leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) and Mohammad Yasin Malik, chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) before arriving at any decision aimed at solving the Kashmir imbroglio.
“New Delhi is fully aware that leaders like Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik have a say in the Kashmir valley and it is important to take them along while arriving at any solution of the Kashmir problem. These leaders visited New Delhi thrice during the past one week or so and deliberations were carried out with them. More rounds of the talks are likely to be held in the coming days,” said the sources.
The three separatists were arrested during the intervening night of August 23 and 24 in the wake of “Lal Chowk Chalo” programme last week announced by the Coordination Committee.
“The three separatists were taken to New Delhi thrice during the last eight days to hold talks with the GOI and the process is likely to continue over the next few days. After their return from New Delhi these leaders have been placed at Cheshmashahi,” said the sources.
The sources said that people living in the Jammu region have received a shot in the arm after the agreement between Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) and the panel appointed by Governor Narendra Nath Vohra.
“The Samiti would soon come out with its demands revolving around a parallel concept (as autonomy in Kashmir) and equal allocation of funds to Jammu region. Following the deal with state government, the Samiti is gearing to demand equal status for Jammuites in secretariat and equal funds for that region. These people are also going to demand that the heads of departments in the Jammu region to be locals (Dogras) and not from the Kashmir valley,” said the sources.
“As Kashmiris demand the status of autonomy, the Samiti too is planning to come out with some similar concept. They no longer want to stay with the Kashmir valley as a state. These people have been encouraged after the deal between the Samiti and the governor appointed panel. They believe that there every demand would be fulfilled and the same is driving them to move ahead,” said the sources.
(Daily Khidmat)
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