Welcoming the signing of the peace accord between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM), ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party Tuesday urged New Delhi to engage with all stakeholders in Kashmir.
In a statement here, PDP chief spokesperson Dr. Mehboob Beg said the peace accord was a huge step towards the challenges being faced by the country and then trying to resolve them with a flexible attitude.
Beg stressed that the path adopted by the Government of India (GoI) in case of Nagaland was in consonance with what the PDP has always advocated – “a path of flexibility in approach, a path of respect, dignity and uninterruptible dialogue”.
Beg pointed-out that the peace accord was a direct result of the sustained dialogue which lasted for about 16 years and was carried forward by all the governments in New Delhi – “a fact which underlines that there is consensus that the issue needed a resolution, and so every government worked for it.”
Beg said that the Prime Minister’s words — “We will not only try to heal wounds and resolve problems, but also be your partner as you restore your pride and prestige” — was a ray of hope for the Kashmiris and impressed upon the GoI to adopt a similar approach towards Kashmir.
Beg also appealed to the GoI to engage with all stakeholders in Kashmir with a similar approach, respecting their sentiments, culture and history and engaging them in a sustained dialogue with the utmost dignity.
He added that the “four point formula” arrived at during the Vajpayee-Musharraf regime could be used as a “launching pad” to achieve the desired results.
Meanwhile, senior NC leader Ali Mohammad Sagar while welcoming the signing of the accord said peace in Kashmir was not possible until relations between India and Pakistan improve.
“Both the nations have to settle their issues first, and make their borders calm so that a permanent solution on issues like Kashmir could be reached at,” he said.
Senior Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin said that peace in Jammu and Kashmir was possible only when India and Pakistan decide to end their animosity and bloodshed on their borders.
He asked the GoI to initiate a dialogue with Pakistan so that peace returns to J&K.
CPI-M leaders and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami while welcoming the accord between GoI and Naga insurgents said that New Delhi has to take the dialogue with Pakistan more seriously and initiate a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan, so that Kashmir issue is resolved once for all.
MLA Langate Er Abdul Rashid said Nagaland was India’s “internal issue, while Kashmir is a disputed territory and nothing can be achieved in J&K with such accords.” He said the accords between GoI and Kashmir leadership too have not bore any fruit in Kashmir so far.
