Kashmir separatists hope for talks, ease protest calendar

The separatists in Kashmir have agreed to ease their protest calendars as the Centre is preparing the ground for talks with all stakeholders in the valley. The softening in the separatists’ stand is being attributed to the mediation done by the Yashwant Sinha led delegation—identified by the ruling BJP as an independent delegation—that visited the state recently and met the separatist leadership, including Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani.

In what is being seen as their willingness to engage with the Centre, the separatists announced a first full day relaxation on Saturday and Sunday. The Hurriyat has asked people to use only public transport during these two days so that transporters, who suffered tremendous losses due to the shutdown, could be compensated to some extent. The separatists have also announced, in the latest protest calendar, a 15-hour relaxation in the shutdown beginning on 4 pm on Wednesday and Thursday. However, there would be a complete shutdown on Monday and Tuesday.

Informed sources told this newspaper that ground is being prepared by the Central government for the “talks”. The Yashwant Sinha led delegation of civil society members had earlier submitted its report to the Central government and had also prevailed on important quarters to sit on the negotiating table. The talks would include, among other things, a review of all the cases slapped against the youth in Kashmir, including the Public Safety Act or the PSA. It has also been suggested by the delegation that thousands of youth, currently under detention, should be released in order to make the environment conducive for talks.  The delegation had earlier got a big breakthrough when Syed Ali Shah Geelani had assured them that he would not oppose any move of the government for the betterment of the student community in Kashmir. The board examinations of Class X and XII went off peacefully. Geelani exhorted the Centre to make important decisions that would enable talks for the final solution of the Kashmir dispute without any doubts on both sides. Meanwhile, the government has decided to continue its “no detention” policy in the current academic session.