MUZAFFARABAD: Over 100 students were injured by Police lathi-charge at Basoli in Jammu on Sept 7, according to a report received here today [Sept 16] from across the ceasefire line.

The report adds that clash between the Sadiq Police and the students took place when the Police tried to disperse an angry crowd of students who were demonstrating against the repressive policy of the puppet government.

Twenty-six policemen and a Tehsildar of Basoli were also injured during the clash.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Rawalpindi,] Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, in his letter to President Ayub on “Friends Not Masters” has disclosed that President Ayub “vehemently denounced” the proposal of a confederation between India, Pakistan and Kashmir when it was suggested by the Kashmiri leader during his talks here with the President in 1964 [Sept 16].

Political observers here have pointed out that President Ayub felt that any such solution “could encourage forces of disintegration not only in Pakistan but more so in India”.

According to these observers, the letter fully corroborates the President’s reference, in his book, to the proposal for a confederation.

These observers remarked that Sheikh Sahib, with his characteristic courage, in his letter has drawn pointed attention not only to the existence of the Kashmir dispute but also re-emphasised the importance of settling the dispute by referring to the United Nations proposals and other solutions put forward from time to time.

The observers note the fact — obvious from Sheikh Sahib’s letter — that Sheikh Abdullah came here with the tacit approval of Mr Jawaharlal Nehru to arrange a summit meeting between him and President Ayub for the solution of the Kashmir dispute

This itself shows that till as recently as 1961 New Delhi not only recognised the existence of the dispute but also professedly made moves for the solution of it, they added.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2017