Kashmir lawyers not to meet all-party delegation

Kashmir High Court Bar Association (KHCBA) today said it will not meet the all-party delegation led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh which is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow on a two-day visit to hold talks with all stakeholders in an attempt to resolve the Kashmir problem.
"We the members of High Court Bar Association, numbering more than 1,000, are sorry to inform you that we cannot meet the members of the delegation because we know that there is nothing in your hands," the lawyers' body said in an open letter to the all-party delegation.
The association said such initiatives in the past had yielded nothing.

"You were here in 1990, 2008 and 2010, but that time also after meeting the people, you did nothing. The reason is obvious that you have your own limitations. We also know that before coming to Kashmir, you were briefed by Home Ministry officials for several days," the association said.
The KHCBA said it was "not afraid of talking to you" but the exercise was futile in view of the assertion made by the Centre that Kashmir is an integral part of India.
"When your delegation members proceed on the assumption that Kashmir is an integral part of India, what is the fun of talking to you.

"You used your best oratory in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to persuade Rajnath Singh to stop the use of pellet guns in Kashmir, but you could not succeed in stopping the use of pellet guns in Kashmir," it said.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement yesterday that Kashmir issue can be addressed through 'Vikas' (development) and 'Vishwas' (trust) , the association said "Is it for that, that you have come to Kashmir and invite the people to talk to you? If it is so, which reality it is, it is only a wastage of time to engage any Kashmiri in talks with your delegation".

Normal life remained paralysed for the 57th day today in the Valley even as 70 people have been killed and several thousand others injured in clashes between protesters and security forces since Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8.
Meanwhile, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee also announced that it will not meet the all-party delegation unless the Centre started a serious and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir.