Author:
Publication: The Times
of India
Date: December 4, 2000
Pakistan-based Kashmiri
militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen on Monday asked New Delhi not to rake
up the "frivolous issue" of infiltration of militants on the Line of Control
but take concrete steps to resolve the basic issue of Kashmir.
"Now that Pakistan has
instructed its troops to exercise maximum restraint on the ceasefire line
(Line of Control), it is imperative for India to pay full attention to
the principal and basic issue of Kashmir rather than rake up the frivolous
issue of infiltration and exfiltration of Mujahideen on the LoC," Hizb
spokesman based in the state, commander Masood, said in a statement here.
Apparently commenting
on the statements of the Union home and defence ministers asking Pakistan
to curb infiltration across the border and give up its proxy war against
India, the spokesman said by raking up such issues India would deprive
the people of the sub-continent of the fruits expected from a "big and
important" step taken by Pakistan.
"Infiltration and exfiltration
of Mujahideen or border crossing was the outcome of the rigid attitude
adopted by India by not fulfilling the promises made to the people of Kashmir,"
the spokesman said.
"Pakistan has no responsibility
at all in stopping the border crossing," he said.
The spokesman said the
outfit would play a key role as per the wishes and aspirations of the people
of Kashmir to resolve the basic issue.
He also made it clear
that without the involvement of Pakistan, resolution to the Kashmir issue
was not possible. "An everlasting solution to the Kashmir issue is
possible only when Pakistan is involved in the negotiations," he said.
"The parties concerned
- India and Pakistan - should not waste another 50 years but read the writing
on the wall and ground realities and come forward with result-oriented
and fruitful proposals to resolve the Kashmir issue," he said.(PTI)