Hope to engage ‘all’ stakeholders in dialogue: K-panel

Srinagar: Stating that dialogue process must go ahead, New Delhi appointed interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir Monday said that they hope to engage “all” stakeholders including those who have remained away from the process so far. “We hope to engage all the stakeholders. I have stressed on word all. Even those who because of certain restrains, compulsions have not been able to engage with so far,” head of the three member panel, Dileep Padgaonkar said while addressing peace conference organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation at SKICC here on Monday.“We very much hope that in doing so, we will see that this dialogue process must go ahead. Must be Comprehensive,” he added as per a correspondent. He said that the panel has met more than 500 delegations during their eight visits to the state.”We have met all kinds of people including those who have been displaced, so-called stone-pelters and the young,” he said.There is a view that pluralism should be upheld in the state as an example for rest of the country, Padgaonkar said.“There is a belief the state should not be divided, trifurcated or bifurcated because it is one unit where all religions and all languages can blossom,” he said.He also urged for a need to take urgent measures to address issues ‘agitating’ minds of the people.”Some issues are related to governance and some to confidence-building but none of these can take attention away from the main point which is political,” he said.Shahid Sidiqui, former MP and noted journalist, said that the Peace Conference was an important effort towards securing the goal of sustained peace and tranquility in the State. “We don’t want Kashmir but Kashmiris,” he said. He said that all religions propagate the message of peace and harmony, adding that conciliation and dialogue are the best and rather the only way out to resolve all issues amicably by sitting across the table.Director Information, Kh Farooq Renzushah applauded local media as most responsible. “Media is most responsible in Jammu and Kashmir and in spite of challenging situation they have proved their mettle.”He said that every peace loving person was basically development-oriented and likes to project development scenario in an objective manner. He said that the Department of Information has always received cooperation of right thinking people at local, national and international level in erasing the negative impression about the situation. Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Chairman, J-K Peace Foundation, in his welcome address, dwelt on the aims and objects of organizing this Conference, the details of the participants, the activities of the Foundation and its future roadmap. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the activities of the Foundation aimed at restoration of lasting peace, harmony, amity and brotherhood in the State.Social activist Swami Agnivesh demanded immediate revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).The demand comes a day after army senior officer Lt Gen Parnaik stressed that the forces require the special legislation in Jammu and Kashmir. Agnivesh also demanded an inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge into over a hundred civilian killings during last year’s summer unrest in Kashmir Valley.“There is need to withdraw AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir immediately,” he told reporters on the sidelines the Peace Conference.“Besides, there is need for a probe by a sitting Supreme Court judge into the killing of civilians during violence in the valley last summer,” he said.Agnivesh also demanded release of all the youths detained without trial in the past one year in the valley while advocating that “those who have committed the crime should be thrown into jails”.The social activist maintained that Kashmir problem was “a political issue and not a religious issue.”