Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat Defends Govt on Not Engaging With Hurriyat, Says 'Interlocutor Appointed For Indirect Talks'
'If they (separatists) don’t want to talk, what can we do? The head of the state isn't going to talk to the terrorists. It’s not going to happen,' Gen Rawat said.
New Delhi, November 12: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat defended the government's decision to not to engage with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference on an official-level, as an interlocutor has been appointed in Jammu & Kashmir for indirect talks with all concerned groups.
"Interlocutor is talking to people, he is open to anybody who wants to speak to him. We're doing indirect talks, if they (separatists) don’t want to talk, what can we do? The head of the state isn't going to talk to the terrorists. It’s not going to happen," Rawat said. 'Hurriyat Unmasked', Says MoS Jitendra Singh After Video Shows Relative of Slain Protester Accusing Geelani of Hypocrisy.
The interlocutor, retired IPS Dineshwar Sharma, was appointed in November last year for confidence-building measure in J&K.
While the Army chief's remarks are in line with the stand adopted by the Centre, the Opposition has pointed out that it was the erstwhile BJP regime led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee which held multiple rounds of dialogue with all factions of the Hurriyat.
"Dialogue is the only solution. This was what Vajpayee ji believed in. If this government follows his ideals, then why don't they resort to his path to bring peace in the Valley," said former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, after the BJP pulled out of her coalition government in the state.
Although Rawat's statement indicates the strengthening of the establishment's uncompromising stand against separatists, the government had as recently as May this year pitched for a dialogue with all stakeholders, with Home Minister Rajnath Singh claiming that he would engage with Hurriyat leaders if they pitch for a dialogue.
Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani had then sought clarity from the Centre before coming to the negotiating table. "Let the Indian government give clarity on what it wants to talk about," he had said.
Days later, however, the BJP pulled out of the J&K government, which analysts credit to have further deteriorated New Delhi's perception in the Valley.
In the past month, newly appointed J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik said his administration believes in dialogue with all sections, but added that direct talks with Hurriyat is not possible till it is "connected with Pakistan".
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2018 03:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
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