Author:
Publication: Rediff
on Net
Date: August 21, 2000
Differences among militant
outfits over the cease-fire and initiation of talks with India came to
the fore with the Pakistan-backed Harkat-ul-Mujahideen warning separatists
groups and political organisations against such moves, saying the "only"
way to resolve the Kashmir issue was through a 'holy war'.
"Any talks with the Government
of India are meaningless and fruitless and the only way to resolve the
Kashmir issue is jihad [holy war]," HUM said in a statement, published
in dailies in Srinagar on Monday, apparently referring to Hizbul Mujahideen
and Hurriyat Conference moves to initiate talks with New Delhi.
"Militant outfits operating
in Jammu and Kashmir should not try to supersede each other in the race
for talks as these will prove fruitless and meaningless", the statement
said.
HUM accused the Indian
government of "playing a ploy of talks, sometimes with militants and at
times with political outfits to ward off international pressure to settle
the Kashmir issue as per the wishes and aspirations of people of the state".
The Imamia Conference,
a less known political outfit, termed as "unwise" the proposal put forth
by Hurriyat chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat to constitute two groups of its
executive members to initiate talks with New Delhi and Islamabad.
Stating that Bhat floated
the idea to remove the militant leadership from the scene, the spokesman
said, "It will not be accepted at all".
