KL Desk
Srinagar
Reiterating his appeal to the Hurriyat Conference factions to unite and come to a common platform, United Jihad Council Chairman, Syed Salahuddin said that no faction of the Hurriyat Conference should single handedly enter into a dialogue with New Delhi. He also rejected the idea of bilateral dialogue between any two parties for solution to the vexed Kashmir issue.
“Bilateral dialogue cannot serve any purpose and could be harmful the interests of the ongoing movement. So if there has to be a dialogue, it must be tripartite, and only one faction of the Hurriyat Conference should not enter into dialogue with India”, said Syed Salahuddin while talking to KNS.
On the Hurriyat Conference (M)’s recent Pakistan Visit, the Hizb Chief said that the situation demanded unification of leadership and therefore efforts should be made for reunification of all the separatist political forces. “I would urge all the separatist political leaders to get united for the sake of the mission. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Yasin Malik and all other leaders should exhibit a united strength and come on a common platform”, he said.
“When all of them have the same goal, all are there for the same mission, I don’t understand why they are not sitting on the same table”, wondered the UJC Chief, adding that the time had come when these leaders must reach a consensus and work together.
Criticizing the former Pak Military ruler Gen (rtd) Parvez Musharf, Syed Salahuddin said that the former dictator should have understood that by proposing the four point formula, he was losing his bargaining position. “If anyone had to gain from his formula, it was only India and none else”, said the Hizb Chief. He, however, was quick to add that political, diplomatic and public role cannot be out rightly ruled out in reaching a consensus.
Stating that the ongoing armed struggle was the outcome of the failure of nearly half a century peaceful movement seeking independence from India, the United Jihad Council Supremo said, the history stands testimony to the fact that political struggles could never vacate foreign occupations.
“History is the witness to the fact that Political infrastructure could never achieve the goals of removing the foreign occupations”, Salah ud din told KNS. He said that though he was not averse to dialogue but dialogues did not facilitate the release of even a single person, “leave alone settling the dispute.”
The Hizb chief said that the erstwhile Soviet Union not only fled from Afghanistan after conceding defeat to Afghan Mujahedeen but also disintegrated into several parts. He however admitted that Post 9/11 attacks in America, the dimensions of the armed struggles changed and consequently there was a change in the strategies also.
The UJC head said that since after the 2008 public agitation in Kashmir, UJC had revisited its strategy and it had decided to restrict activities to the border areas only. “When people had hit the streets, we did not want to allow forces to act agaisnt civilians in the garb of negotiating militancy, so we decided against carrying out attacks in civilian areas”, said Salah ud din, adding that the militants have increased their attacks on Indian forces in Machil, Tangdhar, R.S Pora and other border areas, and their confrontation with the forces in these areas was continuing.
Salahuddin claimed that the armed struggle was going through an important phase. “Kashmiris at the moment might be feeling tired and disappointed but they will never be ready to leave the mission half way”, asserted Salah ud din, adding that the movement has already transferred itself to the generation next. “Movements don’t vanish by temporary disappointments”, said Hizb Chief.
Regarding the participation of the Panchs and Sarpanchs in recently held MLC elections, Salah ud din said, that he loves the people of his homeland and was fully aware of their helplessness. “I understand their problems and helplessness.
They vote for electricity, for employment, for roads and think that after voting, they would get these facilities, but then India projects it as a referendum in its favor which is not true.” He said that such tactics won’t yield anything for India.
