Interlocutors dampen hopes generated by All Party initiative: Mehbooba

Srinagar, October 14 (Scoop News) –– The Peoples Democratic Party has said the atmosphere of hope generated by the recent All Party Meeting in New Delhi and the visit of All Party delegation has been dampened by choice of interlocutors announced yesterday. In a statement here today president of the party Mehbooba Mufti said though the three interlocutors are eminent and highly respected personalities in their fields the PDP feels their nomination for the Kashmir mission reflects a lack of appreciation of the problem at hand in the state.

Mehbooba said the All Party initiative by the prime minister had acted as a message for the people of Kashmir that the country and its political class were concerned about their sentiments and problems. The visit of leaders from the entire political spectrum had conveyed a rare sense of urgency and seriousness about a people who have historically been at the receiving end of neglect. She said this had perhaps played some role in restoring a semblance of normalcy in the valley that has been hit by an unprecedented crisis on security, political, economic and governance fronts.

Mehbooba said it was genuinely expected by the people that government of India would utilize this opportunity to seriously address the situation in Kashmir. But by keeping the political class once again out of the process it seems there is no change in the mindsets at decision making levels. She said it would have been appropriate to nominate a group of prominent political leaders from the main parties to maintain the tempo of the prime minister’s initiative which had shown signs of a national consensus emerging on the resolution of the problem.

Referring to the earlier 8 point package announced by the government Mehbooba said even though in its form it left much to be desired, on the implementation level it had proved a cruel joke. While release of 50 detainees was announced with fanfare dozens of them are arrested everyday. Making a media tamasha of removal of some unused bunkers in Srinagar is followed up by establishment of more garrisons across the valley, induction of more forces touted by chief minister himself as something caused by protests against over militarization.

 Mehbooba said Palhallan has emerged as a humanitarian disaster with an entire population imprisoned and punished for more than three months. School children and teachers are assaulted in their institutions and even the university campus is not spared. In such a situation much bolder, serious and sincere efforts are required than doing something that could only further strengthen alienation anger and cynicism among people.

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