KARACHI, March 27: Kashmiris from across the Line of Control on Monday emphasised the need for persistent dialogue for removing misunderstandings and resolving the Kashmir issue.
This emerged at a session held at the World Social Forum for providing an alternative debate on the Kashmir conflict.
The session titled ‘The conflict of Kashmir and regional voices’ was conducted by a member of the Kashmiri delegation from India, Sonia Jabbar.
“Our foremost objective is to talk peace and explain some misunderstandings,” she said.
Balraj Puri, a journalist from India-held Kashmir, said he had been striving to achieve rights for every district of Kashmir equal to other districts of India. He said the Kashmir dispute had no relation with the development of the area. The valley was divided into three ethnic regions and such a reality should be recognised, he added.
He said the Laddakh Hill Development Council was just a joke as it was a powerless body. He demanded that all regions of Kashmir should be given uniform autonomy and powers.
Nisar Rahi, a retired college principal from Rajori district, said there was not a single paved road in his district and a majority of inhabitants were yet to see a vehicle. “We have been seeing the dead bodies of Hindus and Muslims since we gained conscience.”
He regretted that due to unnatural division a large number of families had divided; mothers from their children and siblings from their brothers and sisters.
He said the region had witnessed a huge loss of life and property during 1965 and 1970 wars and added that people had heaved a sigh of relief after ceasefire.
He said there was no industry in the area and no efforts had been made to boost tourism while the literacy rate was very low.
“Despite all these setbacks we have been able to maintain sectarian and religious harmony in the area,” said Mr Rahi.
He said people would never accept a solution which was not in accordance with their wishes and aspirations.
He revealed that due to prolonged conflict the female population had increased in the region as the number of girls was far more than the boys’.
Imtiaz Mir advocate of Doda district said the vested interest had exploited the area for various reasons. Out of 655 villages, 550 were deprived of basic facilities while no funds were allocated for development.
“The literacy rate in our district is 46 per cent, while 63,000 families are living below the poverty line.”
He said forests had been looted while outsiders were being appointed on key administrative positions. Security personnel frequently combed the areas, searched houses and arrested people. Yet, he added, murders and looting were the order of the day.
“The governments of Pakistan and India and the Kashmiris should resolve the issue once and for all,” he urged.
Charing Dubay Mukarmuk, chairman of the Laddakh Hill Development Council, said the Indian central government had direct control on Laddakh, which had predominantly people belonged to Mongol race.
He said Laddakhi people were sceptical about the rulers of Jammu and Kashmir and complained of being neglected in development projects.
He said the literacy ratio in the region was far below and a large number of people were jobless. The number of Laddakhis in the state secretariat was zero.
“We tried to form an autonomous council with the help of the Laddakh Muslim Association and other organisations, but now after establishment of the Laddakh Hill Development Council development works have become possible,” he said.
“Dialogue is the only way to solve the Kashmir dispute but the issue will become more complex if a third party, including Pakistan, is involved in the solution,” he said.
Raza Abbasi of the Kargil Youth Association said the mountainous region was a victim of neglect and added that a peaceful solution of the dispute would also help resolve local problems.
Dr Ghulam Abbas from Gilgit and Baltistan accused the Pakistan government of depriving the people of the region of basic rights.
He said when someone talked about rights rulers regretted on the pretext that it was part of the disputed Kashmir valley.
He said the people of Gilgit were against the construction of Bhasha and Diamer dams because that would immensely affect the history and geography of the beautiful region.
He said the Northern Areas Council was a rubberstamp body and could not make a single law.
