Thaindian News

Srinagar, Oct 12 (IANS) Even as details of the interlocutors’ report on Jammu and Kashmir to the union home minister Wednesday have not been made public, the separatist leaders, the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed their dismay at the report.

“After one complete year the interlocutors have not said a word about the real political issue of Kashmir. It has been a complete waste of time. Our decision to stay away from the team proved right,” said Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group while commenting on whatever is yet known through the media about the interlocutors’ recommendations.

Another senior separatist leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah said, “Kashmiris did not make sacrifices for the type of CBMs the interlocutors have spoken about. Our rejection of the panel has been vindicated.”

Mehbooba Mufti, president of the PDP, said, “There is neither an internal nor an external dimension to the recommendations made by the interlocutors’ team.

“There is not even a mention of the political issue in Jammu and Kashmir in the report.

“Strange that the interlocutors should have spoken about no other political issue than the devolution of powers to the Panchayats.

“These recommendations are not even as good as those made by the prime minister’s working groups on Kashmir. I am dismayed.”

Mustafa Kamal, spokesperson of the NC, said, “I don’t have the details about the recommendations made by the interlocutors, but if they have ignored the autonomy resolution passed by the state legislature in 2000, then all I can say is that it is most unfortunate.”

Yusuf Tarigami, general secretary of the CPI-M, has demanded the recommendations be made public and a national debate be invited on these recommendations.