Kashmiri Pandits oppose Hurriyat's Pak trip

Kashmiri Pandits oppose Hurriyat's Pak trip
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, JAN 7: Insisting that Hurriyat Conference is not the ``true representative'' of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandits have opposed the proposed visit by its delegation to Pakistan on January 15 and demanded that the separatist conglomerate specify its agenda before the trip.

The leaders of Kashmiri Samiti, Panun Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandits' United Forum (KPUF) and Kashmiri Displaced Employees' Forum (KDEF), also attacked the Centre for declaring an unilateral ceasefire, terming it as ``unilateral surrender which would enable militants to regroup''.

Stressing that the Pandits were not against the restoration of peace in the militancy-torn State, Panun Kashmir chairperson Dr Shakti Bhan said, ``We are against the ceasefire which has been rejected by militant groups. The ceasefire will only help the militants to regroup and stockpile arms.''

``We believe that the Government's unilateral ceasefire is an unilateral surrender,'' said Dr Ramesh Raina of KPUF, questioning the Government's move to hold talks with militants ``whose hands are soaked in the blood of Kashmiri Pandits''.

Opposing the proposed visit by a Hurriyat delegation to Pakistan, Raina said it is ``not the true representative of the people of entire Jammu and Kashmir. It does not have any representation from the people of Jammu or Ladakh regions. Neither is there any representation of Kashmiri Pandits.''

Kashmiri Samiti vice-president Sunil Shakdar questioned what the Hurriyat leaders were going to discuss in Pakistan. ``What is their agenda. They have not specified it as yet. It all looks fishy,'' he said.