'Militants must be involved in peace process'

New Delhi, Apr 24: Jammu and Kashmir CPI(M) leader Mohammad YousufTarigami today stressed on the involvement of all stakeholders,including ''militants and separatists of all hues'' in the ongoingdialogue process and withdrawal of ''excessive'' troops from the statefor permanent resolution of the vexed issue. ''What is the meaning of the peace process without theparticipation of those outside it. The participation of all thestakeholders, including the militants and the separatists of all hues,should be ensured in the ongoing peace and dialogue process onKashmir,'' Mr Tarigami said during his presentation at the thirdroundtable, convened by the Prime Minister.

Presenting a document which lists suggestions for restoring alasting peace in the state, Mr Tarigami said there was a pivotal needfor political resolution of contentious issues and the conclave needsto consider the measures in the larger interest of the people of thestate.

''There is a need to come out of the present quagmire and face theissues squarely lest the present favourable opportunity slips away,''he added.

Stressing on cutting down of ''disproportionately excessivepresence of troops'' in Jammu and Kashmir, he said instead of providinga sense of security to the common people they were proving to becounter productive, intimidating and a cause of undue interference intheir daily lives.

''The Government of India is only represented by large numbersecurity forces in the state... rather it should be known by thepresence of large number of its IT sector, industry and developmentalsector in Jammu and Kashmir,'' he added.

''It is high time that the Government of India takes immediatesteps to withdraw the excessive forces from the state. Such a step willhave popular appeal in the state. Withdrawal of the Armed Forces(Special) Powers Act, which confers special powers upon the securityforces at the cost of legitimate rights of the citizens and vacation ofthe occupation of private and public properties by the forces will beother significant steps,'' he added.

Reiterating his demand of declaring peace zones, Mr Tarigami said withthe gradual improvement in the situation, which has now universallyaccepted, armed forces could be withdrawn and the charge ofadministration handed over to the local police in these areas. ''Suchareas could be characterised as peace zones, where situation could bemonitored for a reasonable period. If such an arrangement succeeds,these zones could be extended further till the entire state is coveredand there is no need for deployment of troops. This can pave the wayfor a ceasefire in the interiors as it is prevailing on the borderswith a lot of success,'' he added.

During the past several decades, he said, the people of the statehave suffered immensely and at present Kashmir has turned into a landof human tragedy.

''The civilian population has been rendered speechless amidexpanding graveyards, mounting number of widows and orphans,'' theCPI(M) leader added.

Mr Tarigami has also sought a comprehensive programme ofrehabilitation of all the victims of violence, including the familiesof the deceased militants.

''Besides, the detainees against whom there are no serious chargesshould be set free and the Centre must ensure safe passage of all thoseyouth who had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) for arms training inPakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and now want to return to their homesand lead a normal life,'' he added.

The CPI(M) leader said, the two parts of the state and the twocountries could be mutually benefited if joint management of the waterresources, disaster-management system, environment, tourism and tradeand commerce was undertaken.

''This can improve the conditions of life of the millions inhabiting the entire sub-continent,'' he added.

Mr Tarigami said India and Pakistan were unduly stuck on Siachen.

''Such a simple issue should not have taken so much time andenergy to be settled. For both, the glacier is proving to be a whiteelephant, at the cost of poor tax-payers, which runs into billions.

The sooner the issue is settled the better for the two countries and the millions living in penury,'' he added.

UNI