Army still pursues, kill -- Hizbul

Army still pursues, kill -- Hizbul
TARIQ BHAT

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 6: The Hizbul Mujahideen today alleged that Army was not honouring its commitment as ``it continues to pursue, kill and harass'' its militants. It has also said that there could be some delay in the second round of talks which will be held next week.

``We want to make it clear, once again, that Hizb's decision to ceasefireis very serious. We have taken this step very honestly,'' a Hizb releasein Srinagar said.

In Islamabad, the chief of the group, Syed Salahuddin, said: ``If India does not enter into tripartite talks and the situation gets further worse, the entire responsibility will rest with New Delhi.'' Clarifying his stand on fixing August 8 as the deadline for expiry of ceasefire in Kashmir, he said, ``The deadline is not the result of any misunderstanding. Rather it has been set keeping in view the traditional stubbornness and delaying tactics of India.''

The allegations of Army being `dishonest' has once again exposed thefragility of the ceasefire. Sources said the allegations have thecapacity to fuel serious dissension among the Hizb ranks as some juniorcommanders were not happy with the way the high command ordered the ceasefire.

The four divsional commanders, sources said, were under tremendous strainto quell the resentment within ranks.

An indication is the cancellation of yesterday's meeting betweenthe Hizbul Mujahideen and Home ministry officials, which the release saidcould not get underway as two of the commanders, who had gone to apprisethe district and tehsil commanders about the ceasefire and talks, could notreport back to Srinagar on time.

However, the commander is believed to have met some middle-rung intelligenceofficials yesterday. The release said that the Army is coercing its people to surrender in certain areas of the Valley and it listed a series of incidents of Army brutality towards its cadre.