KL Report
Srinagar
Demanding that body of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru must be returned to his family for burial, renowned journalist and former chief interlocutor on Kashmir, Dilip Padgoankar Sunday said that he has taken up the issue with important people in New Delhi.
Talking to KNS he said, “The way Guru’s family was not allowed to meet him before hanging and the way he was buried in Tihar jail was wrong. In the age of internet informing some on through postal delivery raises questions. I have written on it in Times of India.”
Asked whether he will take up the issue with Prime Minister, he said, “I have already taken up it with important people in Delhi.”
Asked whether he will take up the issue of return of body with Home Ministry, he said, “We don’t have any role in it. This decision can be taken by the government. But my personal view is that the body should be returned.”
Padgonkar said the matter of Guru’s hanging is being debated and it will take time and will be debated further. “I talked to 200 Kashmiri students in Pune yesterday. I have told Government of India that till you won’t understand problems of Kashmiris peace won’t return.”
The former interlocutor accepted that hanging of Guru has derailed the peace process.
He urged New Delhi to implement the recommendations of Prime Minister’s Working Groups and interlocutors as soon as possible to restore confidence among Kashmiris.
“Situation isn’t conducive in Kashmir this time. But PM’s Working Groups and interlocutors recommendations should be implemented without any delay.”
Asked whether he will play a role in it, he said, “I am an ordinary citizen like you and have no official role.”
Padgoankar claimed that he understands that Home Minstry had talked to Omar Abdullah before hanging Guru. “I think Omar sahib had been informed by the HM in advance,” he added. “It (hanging) has created a wedge between Kashmiris and the India. All stakeholders in Delhi and Kashmir should sit and discuss the issue without any delay,” he recommended
