Jihadi groups to consider proposal for truce: UJC

Srinagar, Mar 30: The Pakistan based United Jihad Council (UJC) chief Syed Salahuuddin has said ''Jihadi'' groups active in Jammu and Kashmir will consider the proposal for any truce provided the Indian government accepts Kashmir as a ''dispute'' which could be resolved through tripartite talks.

He also said the militant leaders were ready to go active on political and diplomatic fronts provided the dialogue process is initiated without making cease-fire a pre-condition.

The UJC chief, Salahuddin, who also heads the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) a front ranking militant outfit in Kashmir, in an interview to local media from Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) said the entire militant leadership would consider the proposal for truce only if the Indian government accepts Kashmir is a disputed area.

Mr Salahuddin said the militant leadership also supports settlement of Kashmir issue through dialogue. However, he said the cease-fire should not be a precondition for the dialogue process.

Referring to Afghanistan, Vietnam and other areas of conflict he said war and dialogue have run side by side. Armed confrontation would automatically recede as the dialogue process moves forward.

Keeping in view the past experience with India, it has been decided that while keeping the militant front alive, we will go active on political and diplomatic fronts to protect ''sacrifices'' against any sellout.

About the dialogue process initiated by the Indian government with Hurriyat Conference (Omar) and others, Mr Salahuddin said it has so far failed to produce any breakthrough on the Kashmir issue. " Those who entered the dialogue process have also admitted that there was no change in the ground situation in Kashmir," he said. About his meeting with the chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani during the Haj pilgrimage, the UJC chief said he met other leaders from Kashmir who had come to attend the Pugwash conference.

When asked if the Hizbul Mujahideen will join electoral process on the pattern of Hamas in Palestine, he said there could be no parallel between the Kashmir and Palestine.

In Palestine people enjoyed independent status on a certain portion where they have self governance rule, he said adding ''In Jammu and Kashmir people will never accept the Indian constitution.'' He said the Hurriyat Conference constitution also did not accept the Indian constitution.

He said this was wrong to say that people have distanced themselves from the '' freedom ''movement after 9/11 developments.

UNI