Yawar Masoodi, a leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has requested the Muzaffarabad-based United Jihad Council (UJC) — an amalgam of militant organisations — to consider declaring ceasefire in Kashmir during the upcoming parliament and assembly elections.
In a statement, Masoodi who is constituency incharge of Pampore said, “the violence during elections adversely affects the democratic rights of people and thereby deprives them from effective participation in the electoral process.”
“It is time UJC realises the importance of democratically elected representatives in the Parliament and State Assembly and their role in the resolution of Kashmir issue and should therefore take every step to ensure that well meaning and true representatives of the people’s voice get elected and the first step in this direction will be to ensure a violence free election in Kashmir with greater participation of the people,” Masoodi added.
He said the “unwarranted” ban on socio-religious organisations, application of constitutional provisions to erode special status, use of NIA against leaders, shifting of detenues and political prisoners outside J&K must make everyone realise the importance of elected representatives in Jammu and Kashmir.
While highlighting the role of United Jihad Council in the resolution of Kashmir conflict, as accepted by Government of India from time to time and particularly in negotiations held in the year 2000 between the representatives of UJC and Government of India, Masoodi stressed upon the UJC leadership to play a “positive role” in the peaceful negotiated settlement of the Kashmir conflict.
He said J&K National Conference has always been a votary of the involvement of all sections of society in the conflict resolution process and will take every step for involvement of UJC in conflict resolution process in near future which is likely to start after formation of the new government after the elections.
