After Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah voiced his party’s dissent on the execution of Afzal Guru, the UPA government was on Monday trying to put together a strategy to soothe frayed nerves in Kashmir.
After Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah voiced his party’s dissent on the execution of Afzal Guru, the UPA government was on Monday trying to put together a strategy to soothe frayed nerves in Kashmir.
When Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on January 31 had informed Abdullah about the imminent execution of Guru, the latter reportedly pleaded to ensure a long-term political package to contain street protests. While Abdullah told Shinde that he would be able to deal with impending protests and the law and order situation, he cautioned a long-term fallout, which, according to him, could be dealt only with political steps, sources in his party, National Conference, told DNA.
Omar had tried to impress upon separately both UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and prime minister Manmohan Singh on the same day asking them to put in place a major political announcement . Though he didn’t get any assurance, on Monday, the central government, particularly the prime minister’s office was reviewing the Kashmiri situation to explore the CM’s requests. Sources say there was no clarity on the options of political steps as yet. But in the days to come, they will be discussed at various forums.
Worrisome vibes from Srinagar were that all the political forces — mainstream or separatists — have joined hands on this issue. Security agencies have also warned that inimical elements could take advantage of the situation to turn Kashmir into a fresh breeding ground for extremism.
It was also reported that two factions of the All Party Hurriyat Conference were planning a joint strategy to protest the hanging of Guru.
Meanwhile, patron of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Muhammad Sayeed also said the clemency for Guru would only have lifted the democratic profile of the country.
Even as the PMO as well as the ministry of external affairs were closely watching developments in Pakistan and the fate of Indian convict Sarabjit Singh, there have been also suggestions over past two days to re-start talks with Islamabad to put in place a concrete “peace plan” involving J&K as well.
The dialogue had been paused after the brutal killing of an Indian soldier along the LoC. Though, the much awaited visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Islamabad may not take place so soon, there is proposal to make way for such a visit. Experts here believe that now the UPA government has exhibited toughness by executing Ajmal Amir Kasab, Afzal Guru and pausing dialogue with Pakistan in the recent past, there is time now for diplomatic calibration.
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