Author:
Publication: The New Indian Express
Date: August 17, 2005
URL: http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=14517
Calling on Pakistan to rein in militant
and extremist groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir, several human rights
organisations said ''jehadi culture'' and spiralling violence in the state
posed a serious threat to the fragile Indo-Pak peace process.
''In Kashmir, violence and peace
cannot go together. If Pakistan fails to control the militant and extremist
groups, which are conspiring to derail the peace process with India, it
would be a serious blow to peace and tranquility in the area,'' representatives
of several civil liberties groups said at a meeting of the U N Sub-Commission
on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Geneva.
Prominent Kashmiri leader Mumtaz
Khan of the European Union of Public Relations flayed the jehadi forces
for clandestinely working to derail the peace process. He, however, welcomed
the launch of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service by India and Pakistan.
He also expressed concern over the
violation of human rights in Gilgit and Baltistan in the Northern Areas.
''These areas remain economically
very backward. The people of this region have been denied their democratic
rights...
There is no legislative assembly
or High Court,'' he said.
Mr Tahir Naseem Manhas of the Afro-Asian
Peoples Solidarity Organisation said, ''terrorism is sought to be imposed
in a manner, which would cripple the economy of the state.'' ''The sponsors
of terrorism in the state are themselves seeking an agreement with India
on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir,'' he added.
Mr Beersmans Paul of the Belgian
Association for Solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir has hailed the Indo-Pak
peace process.
''All the three parties to the issue--
India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir -- have to find a pragmatic
solution to the problems. There is an urgent need to stop all forms of
violence...the need of the hour is the protection of life.''