Epilogue

because there is more to know

www.epilogue.in CONTENTS

Prologue 3 Editor in Chief Letters to the editor 4 Zafar Choudhary Hear & Hear Consulting Editor Who Said What 5 D. Suba Chandran Columns Associate Editor Keen Eye 6 Irm Amin Baig Ladakh Designs & Layout Agriculture 44 Keshav Sharma Interview 47 Mailing Address Volume 2, Issue 9, September 2008 Diary 49 PO Box 50, HO Gandhi Nagar, IN FOCUS Stop Press Fire 2008 Review of Media 51 Phones & email Office : +91 191 2493136 Reviews Jammu And Editorial: +91 94191 80762 9 Movies 53 Administration: +91 94190 00123 Beginning Of The Endgame [email protected] Post-Agitation 18 Epilogue [email protected] Uphill Task For Jammu’s Politics, Economy From the Consulting Editor 56 [email protected] 22 Amarnath Confrontation : Is It Sureal ? Edited, Printed & Published by 26 Replay Of 90’s ? Zafar Choudhary for CMRD Still No Lessons From History Publications and Communications Find The Enemy Published from ‘Ibadat’, Madrasa 28 ...It Is Communalism Lane, Bhatindi Top, Jammu, J&K 33 Our Mis-Leaders, 39 Hectares Printed at Of Land And Seesaw Of Faith Dee Dee Reprographix, Jammu 35 Jam-Kash Showdown Clash Of Vested Interests Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction 39 Reconnecting Kashmir : of courts and competitive tribunals in Need For Reopening Traditional Routes Jammu only. 41 After 2500 Cr Loss, Eyes On Jhelum Valley Road

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Epilogue Ø 1 × September 2008 Epilogue b e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w Jammu & Kashmir Center For Contemporary Studies

The J&K CCS, a non-profit institute, is engaged in research on issues of contemporary importance involving Jammu and kashmir

ANNOUNCEMENT For an upcoming project on people of Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K CCS invites proposals from researchers, scholars, teachers, journalists and other dispassionate observers of life to write brief biographical account of the personalities listed below. It may be noted that the list is not complete and will be continuously updated during life of the project. Interested writers may also suggest names of people who, they believe, have contributed to change in Jammu and Kashmir. The biographical account involving a critical analysis of personality, successes, failures and contributions to various aspects of general life, shaping up thoughts and present positioning in the public space should be in around 2500 to 3000 words. A modest honorarium of Rs. 1000 is being offered for each submission. Any particular author can not write on more than two personalities. Interested authors are requested to list their choice of personality with J&K CCS before starting the assignment so as to avoid many authors writing on same person.

THE PEOPLE Aagha Ashraf Ali • Muhammed Yusuf Taing • Prof Rehman Rahi • • Syeda Aasiya Andrabi • ZG Muhammad • Khwaja Sonaullah Bhatt • • Farooq Abdullah • • • GM Shah • Mirwaiz Omar Farooq • Shabir Ahmed Shah • Mohammad Yasin Malik • Pervez Imroz • Mian Abdul Quyoom • Nighat Shafi Pandit • Prof Hamidi Kashmiri

Contact :

J&K CCS ‘Ibadat’ Madrasa Lane, Bathindi Top, Jammu Ph : (O) 0191 2493136 , 94191 80762 email : [email protected], [email protected] PROLOGUE FROM THE EDITOR

Thus Begins The End

Zafar Choudhary

round three months back a rigging the1987 elections. Then it took front page story in 20 years to restore some order of newspaper and later a much semblance. Yet no lessons were learnt. Epilogue detailed report also in a This time around the government in A because there is more to know Srinagar based magazine asked, “who Jammu and Kashmir which triggered the says separatists are not participating in Amarnath landmine was headed by elections?” At that time the buzzword in Congress. The Government in New Delhi EPILOGUE aims at providing a Kashmir was about the forthcoming is also headed by the Congress. Do we platform where a meaningful elections. Further explaining the still need to blame the Pakistan's ISI for exchange of ideas, opinion and argument, the story pointed out that all this mess? The worst scenario this thoughts can take place among the much of the separatist sentiment has time, however, is that there has been people and about the people of been consolidated by the mainstream dangerous fallout in Jammu –a place Jammu & Kashmir. The attempt is to political parties seeking to work under which endured everything silently and research, investigate, communicate the constitutional ambit. The reference welcomed everyone who felt insecure and disseminate information, ideas was to Peoples Democratic Party and in rest of the state. All those gaps which and alternatives for the resolution of the National Conference. One leading were required to be filled in for common problems facing the state example was given of Mohammad Yaqub achieving a larger goal of peace and and society of Jammu & Kashmir and Vakil –one of the founder members of stability have been widened. The gulf in the context of their significance to Hurriyat Conference –who joined the between Kashmir and New Delhi, the South Asia as a whole. PDP and was tipped to contest elections gulf between Kashmir and Jammu and from one of assembly constituencies in more dangerously the gulf between We welcome contributions from central Kashmir district of Badgam. various sections of society has never academics, journalists, researchers, Yaqub was not a case in isolation. He been as wide as it is being seen today. economists and strategic thinkers. was among at least three dozen such When things were normal no efforts We would also like to encourage politicians who continued to toe the were made to make people talk to each first-time writers with the only separatist line and at the same time other. Our present issue carries well requirements being a concern for and prepared to participate in a democratic opinionated essays and articles on the the desire to understand the exercise. A month and half later, when bloody fire which has engulfed Jammu prevailing issues and themes of life in Yaqub issued a statement on his and Kashmir. Gautam Navlakha's lead Jammu & Kashmir dissociation from the PDP; again he was essay comes as an eye opener for all not the case in isolation. All those who those who have been rubbishing the Contributions may be investigative, had been thinking on these lines stand eruption as temporary. Syeda Afshana descriptive, analytical or theoretical. thrown back to the scene of 1990s. A gives a poetic sketch of life's return They may be in the form of original stage has reached in the Valley where journey in Kashmir. Interviews with the articles or in the form of a comment on even the PDP and NC are now shy of members of Shri Amarnath Yatra current events. All contributions have talking about elections. They are asking Sangharsh Samiti –which spearheaded to be neatly typed in double space and for a larger debate on Azadi. This is how Jammu agitation –open a window to the may be sent to the address given New Delhi lost its plot in Kashmir in a discrimination sentiment in the region. I alongside or e-mailed to the editor. period of just little over two months. am afraid if New Delhi can do anything at Looking back at such eruption 20 years this stage but at least the Civil Society While the editor accepts back once can recollect how Congress can take a lead in picking up the threads. responsibility for the selection of the twisted the neck of democracy in 1984 material published, individual (by toppling an elected government) Feedback : authors are responsible for the facts, and then buried this institution by [email protected] figures and views in their articles.

Epilogue Ø 3 × September 2008 M A I L B O X LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Mail your letters to [email protected]

They eroded essence of 2002 Get some views from other side Spare labourers also 2002 assembly elections in Jammu and It is deeply regretted that the poor Kashmir were hailed and applauded labourers from outside the state are With EPILOGUE We feel relaxed and world over for their fairness. being treated shabbily by none other informed about the political and Unfortunately what followed later was than the so called secular voices of the otherwise happenings in Jammu and unfair. The ruling coalition partners, the Kashmir. (Biharis on radar in Kashmir, Kashmir, but at the same time it is PDP and the Congress eroded credibility Epilogue, August 2008) God knows, why requested that a view from other side of of the whole exercise for their mutual they are destroying the very essence of and continuous engagement in a bitter Kashmir may also be carried, after all i.e. tolerance? A secular acrimony next five and half years. Yes the world knows very little about society like that of Jammu and Kashmir indeed, they had made 30 pledges to Neelam Valley. Now time demands a leaves no space for the communal and the people at the time of assuming vision and voice from Muzzafarabad intolerable forces that are hell bent to office but they conveniently forgot to also, so you can be helpful to bridge the spoil the progress of the state. issue a white paper while demitting the gap. Anyhow the last issue covering the office. Kudos to Epilogue (August, 2008 Ladakh story with statical figures Mohit Sharma issue) for a precise but still fair analysis deserves appreciations Jammu University of the points of coalition's Common Minimum Program. My suggestion is that Zubaid Rana, Media should not succumb when PDP and Congress come for votes Bangalore again, public should first seek a status Deeply concerned over the report on these pledges before Thanks ! Wajahat Habibullah developments in Jammu and Kashmir entertaining them. we have been just trying to get Reyaz Dar The views expressed by Jenab Wajahat updates from the media. Looking at Baramulla, Kashmir Habibullah over recent happenings in different outlets one ends up in the state (in his interview, Epilogue, confusion. One based in Jammu has August 2008) clearly signify that no II entirely different feel of things than secular and informed person like him the one in Srinagar. And those in New can remain mute at this juncture, Nothing serious was done on the CMP Delhi have altogether different story pledges. Bitter but the fact is that many perhaps he knows more about the state to tell. It appears that all means of of the pledges of the duo went and is worried about the present print and electronic media are unnoticed. Unfortunately none of the scenario. Wajahat Sahab truly deserves somewhere under the influence of two partners is willing to own the guilt a warm appreciation for always showing locals and religious groups. May be that they failed in keeping their courtesy for the cause of Kashmir, surely somewhere crossing the line of true promises. The serious research and time has compelled him to speak up. journalism. To say the least, I am analysis of EPILOGUE is appreciable to People like him, across the society need happy that Epilogue is still adopting a remind us that politicians always to come for the sake of nationality. balanced approach. Keep it up! remain politicians. Avenesh Dutta, Ahsan Ahmed Rather, Kanhaiya Bhardwaj, Advocate, Mumbai.

Epilogue Ø 4 × September 2008 HEAR AND HEAR WHO SAID WHAT

'No one can airlift land from Kashmir to Jammu. It should be given back to the SASB for the yatra period only. It is just a matter of two months. We should not forget that scores of locals earn their livelihood by the yatra'.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Former CM J&K

‘If police agencies continue to use excessive ‘The recent incidents in the state of force, then it will be difficult for people like Jammu and Kashmir are a cause for me to continue in Parliament'. concern. In this hour of crisis, divisive politics will lead us nowhere'. Omar Abdullah, MP , President, National Conference Dr . , Prime Minister Of

‘India needs azadi from Kashmir as much as Kashmir needs azadi from India'.

Arundhati Roy, Social Activists and Writer 'Vohra (NN; Governor J&K) is my friend but I still feel his exit is necessary to cool down tempers in Jammu'.

‘We are Pakistanis and Pakistan is us because Dr. Karan Singh, Former, we are tied with the country through Islam'. Sadar-e-Riyast, Jammu and Kashmir,

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Leader, Hurriyat Conference,

‘The current attitude of the Kashmiri Leaders of all hues has convinced us that our own movement for securing a ‘They (Kashmiris) will neither act nor go there. Union Territory status is justified'. Otherwise, Muzaffarabad is also our area and if they are happy to go there let them go' , MP, Leader, Ladakh Union Territory Front

Leela Karan,, Convener, Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti

‘Mehbooba Mufti feels her rhetoric will mislead the people on the Land ‘The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is Controversy but she is too inexperienced' reminiscent of the times when a permit was needed for a visit there'. , Former CM, J&K L.K Advani, Leader BJP

Epilogue Ø 5 × September 2008 COLUMN KEEN EYE

Looking Back How An Explosive Situation Was Resolved 44 Years Back

Balraj Puri

When I read Mohammad Yousuf Shaheen's reminiscences of the mass movement in Kashmir from 27 December 1963 to 4 February 1964, for the recovery of the holy relic in a local English daily, I, too, felt like recording my reminiscences as I was deeply involved in it and had played my humble role in resolving the crises created by it. However, I remained too much distracted by a mass upsurge in Kashmir followed by a similar upsurge in Jammu for and against revocation of the government order for transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Even now I would not be able to deal with all the details of the events which I know but only refer to what I could do during those crucial days. The role I could play in the holy relic agitation was facilitated due to my close association with its three leaders, Maulana Mohammad Saeed Mussoodi, Ghulam Mohiuddin Karra and Mirwaiz Farooq. The first too were my old friends, the last, just entered in public life became my admirer till his end. The three leaders led the movement in a well organized manner.

hile in terms of mass pro-Pakistan. Mirwaiz's predecessor on the phone and asked me what was involvement in the protest Maulvi Yusuf was against Sheikh the hurry. I told him that there was so movement against Abdullah's decision in favour of much trust for government of India Wmysterious disappearance accession to India and had ran away to which his ministry had squandered. He of Moe-Muqdas, there was no Pakistan whereas GM Karra was leader further asked me "how"? In reply I said, precedence, it was mainly directed of a pro-Pakistan party Political did he want me to explain the whole against GM Bakshi and his nominee to Conference. How, the holy relic was story on telephone. Then he asked me the post of the Prime Minister, recovered from whom, according to to come immediately. Shamusuddin. This was evident from the Mullik, "was an intelligence operation incident quoted by Mr. Yousuf Sheikh never to be disclosed." I told Nanda that Vishwanthan had when Bakshi Rashid's jeep was thrown refused to get the holy relic identified into the Jhelum and he had to run away As the situation started deteriorating I by the Action Committee and had stated to save his life. There were appeals to rushed to Delhi to seek the intervention t h a t a n y b o d y w h o d e m a n d e d the government of India, in particular to of Indian leaders. The PSP, which was identification was a Pakistani agent, the Prime Minister Nehru, to intervene the major opposition party in the thus dubbing almost the entire in the situation. country agreed to sent Nath Pai to population of Kashmir as Pakistanis. Kashmir as it had earned some goodwill Nanda heard series of my allegations But contrary to the impression of the as a vocal voice against GM Bakshi's rule. and spoke to the Home Secretary on author of the article, BN Mullik, the But he fell ill and Director of Intelligence Bureau and Lal could not go. I sought Bahadur Shastri did not work in an appointment with cooperation. Much damage had been by the Home Minister Mullick and Home Secretary Gulzari Lal Nanda but Vishwanathan that Shastri was sent by was asked to wait till Nehru to repair. Even after the relic was a delegation of restored on January 1964 as Kashmir government, surreptitiously as it had disappeared, on who was coming to 27 December 1963 the two officers of see him had met him. I the government of India refused to get insisted that I should it identified the reason for their refusal meet Nanda before to do so was that two of the three main official delegation. leaders of the Action Committee were Nanda himself came

Epilogue Ø 6 × September 2008 COLUMN KEEN EYE phone. Then he repeated his to a person like Lal Bahadur Shastri, a explanation to me. I told Nanda if the minister without portfolio in his Home Secretary had the audacity to cabinet. Otherwise the situation in Now speak lies to him, what he would he Kashmir might take an explosive turn." doing in Kashmir. Nanda called him I gave the letter to Ashok Mehta, a again but meanwhile he had left his former socialist leader, who had Telling office. He called Mullik and asked him joined, on Nehru's appeal, the Planning to come to his room immediately I Commission as its deputy Chairman. He rebutted Mullik's explanation and lived in South Avenue just opposite to asked him that on February 6, it was a Teen Murti, the Prime Minister's The J&K Dedar day when the relic had to be residence. I requested him to take the shown to millions of people who would letter personally to the PM and get his gather there, if some score of people reply. He could enter PM's bed room Stories doubted authenticity of the relic, and was able to get a favourable reply. there would be explosion. Mullik said "we have made arrangements to face Shastri arrived in Srinagar on 30 Epilogue the explosion." To that I remarked "it is January much against the wishes of not wisdom to first create an explosion Nanda and officials of the Home because there is more to know then try to face it." I assured both of Ministry. Brushing aside the advice of them that I had full trust in the Vishwanthan and Mullik, Shastri invited integrity of Mussoodi, the senior most the Action Committee for Iftar and leader of the agitation, and that if the offered dates and other things which Contact relic was genuine he would certainly Muslims usually eat to break their fast. endorse it. The other two leaders, As a Kayasth of UP, he was well aware of ABDULLAH NEWS AGENCY would never defy the decision of customs of Islamic culture. He offered Mussoodi. In course of my discussion, to the Action Committee that he had no , Srinagar Mullik said that there were certain objection to get the holic relic 9419074859 things that could not be disclosed in identified. Trust begets trust, they say. national interest. I almost lost my Shastri's goodwill gesture as against temper, and said," Nanda ji have you distrust of the officials, disarmed the RAINA NEWS AGENCY called me to get a lesson in national Action Committee and its members Residency Road, Jammu interest from a person who was serving offered to cooperate and send him the he British imperialism when we were list of identifiers. Which "upet fighting against it." Nanda tried to Vishwanthan and Mullik." pacify me. I enlisted the support of ABC STATIONERS AND Jayaprakash Narayan also who spoke to DISTRIBUTORS Maulana Massoodi told the Action Nanda in my presence. But I was not Leh satisfied. I had so far avoided to Committee members that as the holy contact Nehru as he had fallen relic ws a spiritual heritage, it needed ill—perhaps first illness in his public Basirat (spiritual eye) and not merely life—and it was announced, on his Basarat (physical eye) for the job of CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY behalf, that he would not see anybody identification. Every body agreed, and New Delhi till he recovered. the task was left to Meerak Shah, the holiest saint of Kashmir in Rishi order. On the appointed day Meerak Shah I wrote a "personal and urgent" letter declared "Haq" meaning right. All the OXFORD BOOK STORE addressed to him wherein after gathering started dancing with joy and New Delhi, Mumbai, apologizing for approaching him during shouts of "Mubarak, Mubarak." Thus a Calcutta, Bangalore, his illness, I requested to entrust the potentially explosive situation was Chennai & Goa job of dealing the situation in Kashmir turned into universal celebration.

Epilogue Ø 7 × September 2008 I N F O C U S FIRE 2008

'First priority is restoration of land; discrimination issue can be dealt with in phased manner’

Interview : Brig Suchet Singh, SAYSS

How do you define the ongoing agitation the anti-Jammu discriminatory mindset. blockade. The media is also being fooled in Jammu? There are varying versions. Is When a piece of land was allotted to the and its surprising how the media got it strictly for restoration of land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, the taken-away by this rumour without Shri Amarnath Shrine Board or it includes separatists and mainstream parties checking the ground realities. They can the larger issues of discrimination agitated against the decision in Kashmir. also make research and bring the truth against Jammu? The government succumbed to the into light. Why no voice of economic- pressure just in five days blatantly blocked came from Ladakh, when the Such eruptions can not been at spur of the ignoring the Jammu sentiment. Jammu highway is same which passes through moment and at any petty issue. There was was taken for granted as they have done . It was a rumour an anger pent up for last 60 years which over past 60 years. concocted by the political parties. erupted when all limits of patience had exhausted. The ongoing agitation in Therefore, the first step towards It is understood that the SAYSS, at no Jammu represents the popular aspirations standing against the discrimination is to point of time, made any attempt to give and anger of the people of Jammu which have this land restored to the Shrine a communal colour to the agitation but has remained bottled up for the more than Board. We will step by step go further on still there were some unpleasant 60 years. People across all affiliations of other issues and let us hope for a positive incidents. There is an undeniable faith and politics are supporting the Shri outcome. Now the people in Jammu are communal tension in Poonch, Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti which well informed and perhaps prepared to and and then there is has been spearheading the agitation. We ask for and fight for their rights and this is migration of some 100 families of have an overwhelming support 70 the first step but its true the way ahead is Gujjars in Jammu. How do you look at political, non-political, social, trade and quite difficult but not impossible. these incidents? even literary organizations. The core issue before us, of course, is the restoration of What do you have to say to say on the We are happy that at all stages we have land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board but allegations of economic blockade of tried to keep the traditional communal at the same time we are seized of the Kashmir? During initial days of harmony in Jammu intact. There were discrimination factor which can not be agitation, various leaders of Shri many attempts by National Conference ignored. The main direction of the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and and Peoples Democratic Party and in agitation at present is on the core issue, also leaders of various supporting some cases even by the government to and the discrimination issue too will be organizations –including the BJP, Shiv defame the ongoing agitation; Sangarsh dealt with in phased manner at suitable Sena, Tankers Association and Bar Samiti condemns any step of any political platforms. Once the agitation achieves its Association –have been on record party or person that tries to sabotage the present purpose then it will keep on threatening snap of supplies to the secular social fabric in the society. adopting different modes to address the Valley. Don't you think this put India in a discrimination issue. difficult situation on Kashmir as Even the Muslims are supporting this cause separatists politicized the issue to of Jammu, they are a part of Samiti, if at The demands are for restoration of land invite international attention? some places some miscreants did this to the Board and recall of the Governor. coward act, we condemn it and want a There is perception and expectations This is all a bundle of lies. What to talk judicial probe to bring the guilty to book. that the agitation shall be called off once about it, I think people who are But one thing is clear there are some forces these demands are met. Then what propagating this, even do not know what who never miss any opportunity to raise happens to the larger issues of does it mean. From the office of conflicts and we have evidence that some discrimination against Jammu? Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir to people incited by the NC and PDP were PMO to Food Corporation of India and given free hand by the local administration Look, from where did this revocation of , all have made it to threat some particular community in land allotment come? It is an outcome of clear that there was never any economic other districts of Jammu.

Epilogue Ø 8 × September 2008