DATE=7/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA/KASHMIR (L-O)
NUMBER=2-264775
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: India has cautiously welcomed a ceasefire
offer by a prominent, pro-Pakistan militant group in
the northern, insurgency-wracked Kashmir valley. But
as Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, several
other Muslim separatist groups have vowed to carry on
their armed struggle in for independence in Indian
Kashmir.
TEXT: The ceasefire announced by the Muslim militant
group, Hizbul Mujahideen came into effect in Kashmir
Tuesday, according to the group's chief commander
Abdul Majid Dar.
The Hizbul Mujahideen has been in the forefront of the
decade-long Muslim separatist movement in Indian
Kashmir - and its offer to suspend its armed campaign
for three months has come as a surprise. The group
says the ceasefire could pave the way for a dialogue
with the Indian government.
New Delhi has reacted cautiously to Hizbul
Mujahideen's announcment. A spokesman of the ruling
Bharatiya Janata Party says Prime Minister Atal Behari
Vajpayee has welcomed the ceasefire announcement. Mr.
Vajpayee says the government is willing to talk to
anyone within the framework of the Indian
constitution.
In a television interview, Defense Minister George
Fernandes described it as a "positive sign", and said
it indicates that Kashmiris are disillusioned with
militancy.
But the government has not responded to the group's
demand to end the crackdown by security forces on
Kashmiri militants. A Home Ministry spokesman has
said the government will watch the situation, and see
if the group sticks to its offer.
/// OPTIONAL /// Opposition political parties have
also reacted with guarded optimism. The Kashmir wing
of the Congress party said the ceasefire announcement
is a "significant development" that could help in
establishing a dialogue with the militants.
In the Kashmiri capital, Srinagar, people have reacted
with disbelief to the Hizbul Mujahideen's ceasefire
offer. They say they are uncertain if it will help in
restoring peace to the valley. /// END OPT ///
In recent months, New Delhi has been searching for a
political solution to the Kashmir insurgency. The
government has freed several separatist leaders from
prison in a bid to start talks - but it has ruled out
any dialogue on Kashmir's secession from India.
Political observers are describing the Hizbul
Mujahideen's offer of a ceasefire as significant since
it comes from one of the hardline groups spearheading
the Kashmiri militant movement.
But they point out that other prominent militant
groups which are active in the valley, such as the
Lakshar-e-Toiba, have vowed to continue their armed
campaign in Kashmir -- a disputed territory divided
between India and Pakistan. More than 30,000 people
have been killed in Kashmir since the insurgency
flared in 1989. Since then tens of thousands of
security forces have been deployed in the region to
fight the militants. (SIGNED)
NEB/AP/KBK
25-Jul-2000 10:15 AM EDT (25-Jul-2000 1415 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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