Separatists reject Centre's calls for dialogue over J&K violence
The separatist Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has hardened its stance saying they won't accept anything less than freedom from India. They said they will continue fighting until the last Army jawan leaves J&K. This comes after the Centre named former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Dineshwar Sharma as an interlocutor to begin a sustained dialogue with all stakeholders in J&K.
Rajnath: Former IB chief Dineshwar Sharma to be J&K interlocutor
On October 23, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced that former Intelligence Bureau (IB) director Dineshwar Sharma will initiate dialogue in strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir. He said Sharma "will initiate a sustained interaction and dialogue to understand legitimate aspirations" of J&K citizens. Sharma will hold the position of a cabinet secretary. Regarding talks with separatists, Rajnath said Sharma has autonomy to decide.
Who all are part of the JRL?
The JRL comprises of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and J&K Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who led the unrest in the state last year.
JRL calls for strike to mark Army deployment in 1947
The JRL has called for a complete strike on October 27 to protest the Indian Army's deployment in Kashmir in 1947 to fight off a Pakistani tribal invasion. The Army was deployed after Kashmir's last Dogra ruler signed an instrument of accession with India. The JRL has called October 27 an "unfortunate day for Kashmiris when we were deprived of our freedom and liberty."
