He said people of Kashmir, especially the Muslim youth, are disassociating themselves from the guns as an after affect of the Kargil operation in which "Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat."

Singh, who was here in connection with his party's national integration camp at Pahalgam, said around 30,000 residents of Kargil, Drass and Batalik were rendered homeless by Pakistani troops.

The Panthers Party chief said one dangerous consequence of the Kargil conflict is that "it has given a handle to those who want to divide Jammu and Kashmir against the wishes and interests of the people of thestate." Asked to identify the elements behind dividing the state, he alleged that ruling BJP at the Centre and the National Conference in the state were in league to divide the state.

Singh said despite repeated announcements by BJP government that they do not want any third party mediation on the Kashmir issue, they have made and accepted United States as a mediator.

He stressed the need for educating people in the country in this connection and said his party would launch a `Kargil awareness programme' from Kargil to Kanyakumari in this regard However, he blamed the Centre for announcing a "ceasefire" which gave Pakistani troops enough time to plant mines on the hills from July 8 to 15.