Most people not in favour of UN resolutions: Interlocutors

The veteran journalist was briefing the media at the conclusion of the group’s fourth visit to the state which began early this week.

Padgaonkar said most of the people they met reiterated their faith in democracy,fundamental rights,pluralism and tolerance.

“By and large,however,most people we spoke to did not refer to that option (UN resolutions) … they sought the empowerment of people to enable them realise in full measure their political,economic,social and cultural aspirations,” he said.

Padgaonkar said they also stressed the need to devolve power to individuals and communities in all constituent units of the state to avoid its division along ethnic or religious lines.

“Both the empowerment and devolution,they (people) insisted,would have to be backed by constitutional guarantees and robust institutions for transparent,accountable,inclusive and participatory governance,” he said.

Padgaonkar,who was accompanied by former information Commissioner M M Ansari,parried questions about his contact with Chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq yesterday.

“I don’t wish to spend my time explaining,clarifying and justifying anything. I have known separatist leaders in my capacity as a member of the Kashmir committee headed by Mr (Ram) Jethmalani. I have been in touch with them ever since but there is no reason for me to explain each time,” Padgaonkar said.

Breaking the ice,the interlocutors yesterday talked to the Mirwaiz over phone discussing the situation in the state and seeking time for a meeting. After the conversation,which lasted for over 10 minutes,the Mirwaiz had said that Padgaonkar had called him and wanted to meet “but we refused.”

The Mirwaiz said Hurriyat Conference was not against a dialogue but the process has to be “Kashmir-centric and result-oriented”.

The head interlocutor said his group did not have direct contact with hardline Hurriyat faction chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani but they have sent a letter to him and other separatist leaders to provide written proposals of their perceived solution to Kashmir issue.

“I need to attend most humanely to the task at hand which is to evolve a broad consensus on political settlement in J&K. We have formally approached the separatist leaders to request them to give us their published documents on this question so that we can incorporate their views that we are currently preparing,” Padgaonkar said.

He,however,said that if and when the separatists indicate that they are prepared to talk,”we shall talk at the venue of their choosing. We have no problem with that”.

Asking BJP to reconsider its decision to hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Republic Day,Padgaonkar said while every Indian citizen had the right to hoist the national flag anywhere in the country,if exercising such a right leads to tension and “thwarts the current efforts to restore normalcy” in the state,then it is best to avoid it.

He said there was an urgent need to “hasten the pace of efforts” to reduce the “intrusive presence” of security forces and expedite the release of stone pelters and political prisoners”.

The interlocutor said the entrepreneurs and traders gave an “account of the harrowing problems” they faced due to “endless hartals,shutdowns and curfews”.

On the governance issues,Padgaonkar said they have heard “bitter complaints” about “pervasive corruption” in public life.

“But complainants were heartened to learn how citizens could use the Right to Information Act to combat this menace,” he said.

Padgaonkar said the young people talked about inadequate quality education facilities and the shrinking job opportunities in the state.

“They expect some relief from the many measures announced by the central and state governments to address these issues,” he said.