Hurriyat puts forth preconditions to clear air for talks

Jammu and Kashmir: The Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir, an umbrella organization of different separatist parties, has put forth a series of measures to make the atmosphere conducive for further talks for the first time after revocation of Article 370, reported The Indian Express.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief of Hurriyat, suggested that the implementation of the laws that bring in demographic change should be stopped, the laws that disempower the people of J&K should be revoked and called for the release of political prisoners as among a list of demands he made as a prerequisite to further talks.

In a policy statement, he underlined the need for a dialogue among India and Pakistan and the people of J&K to bring a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict. The statement also emphasized the inclusion of Pakistan into the dialogue process.

But nowhere in the statement see the demand for the restoration of Article 370, a demand made by Pakistan as one of the conditions to be at the dialogue table, highlighting the Hurriyat's focus is on a resolution of the dispute.

Instead of the restoration of Article 370, Hurriyat wanted the enactment of Article 35A that provides the people of Kashmir exclusive rights on land and jobs and a resolution of the dispute as a means of improving the situation on the ground.

The statement called the Centre enacted laws disturbing that has left the valley without a resolution to the Kashmir issue, leading to bloodshed in the Valley.

"Passing and implementation of laws aimed at demographic change, post August 2019's unilateral decision by the Government of India…has led to fear of loss of identity among the people of J&K which is deeply disturbing them," it stated. "There is also great anguish at the loss of employment guarantees, land rights and exploitation of natural resources by outsiders", the statement read.