Hope we will together bring peace in Kashmir
The clock has turned full circle for former IB chief Dineshwar Sharma, who was appointed the Government of India (GoI’s) special representative in Kashmir, 25 years after his first posting for the bureau in the Valley.
It was May 1992. Militancy was at its peak and Sharma, then 36, arrived in Srinagar after completing a year of customary training at the Intelligence Bureau headquarters in New Delhi.
The Kerala-cadre officer, who was posted as assistant director between 1992 to 1994, went on to head the IB from 2014 to 2016. Today, he was appointed special representative for the government’s “sustained dialogue” process for peace in the Valley.
“It’s like homecoming for me. I am sure that I will be able to fulfil the expectations of the government and people of the country,” Sharma told PTI.
The 61-year-old — at present the Centre’s pointperson for dialogue with Assam-based militant groups — said he feels honoured that he has been assigned such a challenging task.
Kashmir has been a running thread through his career. After his return from the Valley in 1994, Sharma was again posted at the Kashmir desk in the national capital.
“The times were tough and I hope that now we will together bring peace in the Valley,” he said.
Asked whether he would talk to separatist groups, Sharma said, “The modalities are being worked out but I would like to talk to everyone who is interested in bringing permanent peace in the Valley.”
“Let me make it clear that peace is the priority and for that my doors will be open to everyone,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s August 15 speech, Sharma said, “We have to work towards the goal set by the prime minister and embrace Kashmiris and ensure that lasting peace is achieved.”
Sharma, who has also served in Uttar Pradesh and northeastern states besides holding sensitive posts at the IB headquarters here, called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Sharma would hold talks with all sections of people and organisations, the minister had said at a hurriedly called press conference here earlier in the day.
The home minister made it clear that Sharma, who would hold the rank of a cabinet secretary, would have complete independence in deciding who to hold talks with.
“The Centre has shown conviction and consistency on Kashmir issue and carrying forward this policy, we have decided to begin a sustained dialogue policy for Jammu and Kashmir,” the minister said.
Here are 10 things to know about Dineshwar Sharma:
1. As the Centre’s Special Representative, Sharma will hold a rank equivalent to a Cabinet Secretary.
2. “…Sharma will initiate a sustained interaction and dialogue to understand the legitimate aspirations of people in Jammu and Kashmir,” Rajnath said.
3. Sharma was the Centre’s internal intelligence boss as director of the IB between December 2014 and 2016. He is known to keep a low profile.
4. Key events he dealt with as director of the IB include 2015 Gurdaspur attack, aftermath of the encounter of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in Kashmir, Uri attack in 2016, rise of ISIS recruitment in Kerala
5. This is not the first time Sharma is serving as an interlocutor. He has earlier served as the mediator for talks with various insurgent groups based in Assam.
6. He also has experience in Kashmir. He has served as DIG of the Border Security Force (BSF) and as the IG of CRPF in charge of Jammu and Kashmir.
7. His appointment as the Special Representative for dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir comes against the backdrop of a rising insurgency in Kashmir.
8. He has also served as Joint Director of IB (Islamist Terrorism Desk) from 2003-05 and as director of the BSF Academy.
9. During his 2-year tenure as Director IB, the agency busted a number of espionage modules including the one at the Pakistani high commission in Delhi
10. Sharma is a retired officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), from the 1979 batch of the Kerala cadre.
