NEW DELHI, Aug 15: Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh made a potentially pivotal overture to Pakistan on Monday, promising widely sought measures to curb human rights abuses by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, and at the same time instilling hopes for a shared vision of prosperity with Islamabad.
Informed sources said Dr Singh’s promise during his Independence Day address was expected to give a lot to President Gen Pervez Musharraf to munch on after he recently expressed the need to quicken the pace of the Kashmir talks. The two are due to meet in New York next month.
While India generally denies that its troops indulge in rights abuse in Kashmir, Dr Singh admitted that “accidents do happen once in a while.”
He said: “Keeping this in mind and with a view to protecting human rights, the government had set up a committee to look into the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The report of this committee is being examined in detail and we will take all necessary steps so that there are no violations of human rights under this Act.”
Amnesty International says that Act, operative in “disturbed areas”, including large parts of the Northeast region of India and Jammu Kashmir, has facilitated grave human rights abuses, including extrajudicial execution, ‘disappearance’, rape and torture by giving sweeping powers to the armed forces in these areas.
The prime minister gave a tough warning to terrorists in Kashmir, stressing that if violence does not abate India’s response would be hard-hitting. But he also obliquely invited the All Parties Hurriyat Conference to talks.
“I have said before and I am repeating once again, that there is no issue that cannot be resolved through a process of discussion and dialogue. Our doors are always open and will continue to be open for anyone interested in dialogue. I invite everyone to join us to discuss the problems of the state of Jammu & Kashmir so that its people can lead a life of peace and dignity,” Dr Singh said in a speech in Urdu.
“If violence continues, then our response too will be hard. I am aware that the Government of Pakistan has put some checks on the activities of terrorists from its soil. However, it is not possible to achieve success through half-hearted efforts. It is necessary that the entire infrastructure of terrorism is totally dismantled,” the Indian prime minister demanded. Dr Singh recalled that through the composite dialogue process the two countries had been able to reopen the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway. Talks are going on to open similar links from points in other states.
“Discussions are also going on a gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan. Once this is completed, we will be able to address a major constraint affecting our economy,” he declared.
“It is our sincere hope that we work with all our neighbours in South Asia to effectively address the challenges of poverty, unemployment and disease. If India and Pakistan are able to work together, then we will have many opportunities for making our countries prosperous. I am confident that we will be able to fulfil this vision,” Dr Singh said.
