Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudin says his men not in Kashmir Valley

JAYRAM

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Omer Farooq Khan, TNN Apr 1, 2012, 03.04AM IST



(Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudin, in an exclusive interview to TOI, gives credit to Indian leadership for managing to keep a country with such diversity united.)

MUZAFFARABAD (POK):
Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudin has confirmed the widely-believed perception that the terrorist outfit had tactically withdrawn its cadres to border areas after massive street protests that rocked the Valley between 2008 and 2010 .

"When people came out on streets, India needed an excuse to crush them and turn Kashmir into a concentration camp. We realized that (it was the) time to change our strategy...knowing India would crush the unarmed civilians if they saw even two armed militants among the demonstrators," he told TOI in an exclusive interview on Friday at his Muzaffarabad home, where he has lived under Pakistani protection since he fled Kashmir after unsuccessfully contesting the infamous 1987 elections that triggered the insurgency. "The United Jihad Council (PoK-based terror conglomerate) decided to shift militancy towards border areas," he said.

He articulated another policy shift, saying Kashmir should be granted independence if they favoured it over Pakistani domination. This view dovetails with Hizbul rival JKLF's position on the issue. The two outfits were involved in a bloody confrontation over their diametrically opposite views on the issue.

Excerpts:


Don't you think days of jihad are over in Kashmir?


Not at all. We feel we are getting more relevant. People turn to guns when all other options - diplomatic, moral and political - become ineffective.

What was the impact of 9/11 on Kashmir?

When the US declared the so-called war on terror, Pervez Musharraf was trapped. He also retreated on Kashmir. Pakistan is now bearing the brunt of Musharraf's pro-US polices.

What kind of support do you get from Pakistan's establishment?


Diplomatic, moral and political.

But many say that it's financial and strategic?


It's malicious propaganda. We generate our finances ourselves.

How would you define good things about India?


India is not a country, but a subcontinent. It's a huge multi-lingual and multi-religious country. If India has remained intact despite its social and cultural diversity, it is only due to its leadership. When the interest of the country is at stake, India's leaders forget their personal and party interests and become one.

Are you satisfied with the role of Muslim countries on the Kashmir issue?


There is no doubt about their laziness and cowardliness. Their support is limited to just lip service.

Do you have any reservations against Pakistan's MFN status to India?


The Kashmiri leadership has expressed its reservations. The Pakistan PM says that it is only for trade. But we believe it is only for strengthening the Indian economy. India is eyeing access to markets in Afghanistan and Central Asia.

What about the newly created Pakistani province of Gilgit-Baltistan?


We demand the pre-1947 boundaries for Kashmir. Gilgit-Baltistan and Balakot were parts of Kashmir.

Will Pakistan agree?


It will have to honor the decision of Kashmiris.

Why did you opt for militancy after fighting polls?


I took part in the 1987 polls from Srinagar against Ghulam Mohiudin Shah, a close relative of Farooq Abdullah. Shah won through massive rigging. When I protested, I was arrested. That convinced me and my supporters that enslaved people don't have any right to vote and compelled us to pick up guns for our rights.

When did you last meet your family?

I met my family twice between 1991 and 1994.



Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudin says his men not in Kashmir Valley - Times Of India
 
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KS

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When the interest of the country is at stake, India's leaders forget their personal and party interests and become one.
Dafuq...:shocked:...
 

Ray

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It is said that there were massive rigging in 1987.

Could be.

I have seen Salaunddin's hovel off Sharifabad.

He is now living in luxury in Pakistan.

Therefore, he cannot forsake that luxury for his old style of existence in Kashmir.

That is that rationale for his big talk.
 

GUNS-N- ROSES

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militant organisation like JKLF and Hizbul Mujahideen have become marginalised by LeT. they r trying to stay afloat. only reason they r surviving is because they r assets to pakistani govt. else they have lost relevance.
 

ejazr

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The important thing to note is that he didn't insist on merger with Pakistan.

I have been highlighting this repeatedly that survey after survey has shown that there is close to nil support to merger with Pakistan even in the Kashmir valley region.

A die hard Pakistani supporters like Geelani and now Salahuddin have realised how marginalized they have become. To expand their support base, they now talk about independence. Now would be a good time to raise the demand for these people to demand independence of PoK and GB regions from Pakistan first to show their hypocrisy on the matter,

At the same time, the Centre should realise that J&K is like any other state and it wants to maintain its identity and its politicians will take an anti-centre stand when feasible to play it against the electorate. We see that with Mamta Banerjee in WB, Modi in Gujarat or Jaya in TN. Understand the root cause and address the legitimate grivenaces as the next 5 years are very crucial from turning the pro-Independence opinion towards a pro-India opinion.
 

devgupt

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At the same time, the Centre should realise that J&K is like any other state and it wants to maintain its identity and its politicians will take an anti-centre stand when feasible to play it against the electorate. We see that with Mamta Banerjee in WB, Modi in Gujarat or Jaya in TN.
Good point

One grievance the people have there is AFSPA.They want it removed.And Delhi can't take the risk of removing it.Beyond that what can we do- Improve infrastructure in valley,increase educational and job opportunities, contacts between kashmiri youth and us.
 
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Yusuf

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How would you define good things about India?


India is not a country, but a subcontinent. It's a huge multi-lingual and multi-religious country. If India has remained intact despite its social and cultural diversity, it is only due to its leadership. When the interest of the country is at stake, India's leaders forget their personal and party interests and become one.
this is bang on. This is what even I said in the paki idiots thread. When it comes to India and Indian interest the entire country is one.
 

Ray

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He is telling lies!
 

ejazr

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Good point

One grievance the people have there is AFSPA.They want it removed.And Delhi can't take the risk of removing it.Beyond that what can we do- Improve infrastructure in valley,increase educational and job opportunities, contacts between kashmiri youth and us.
AFSPA is just one issue.

The interlocutors report lists a lot of things that can be done that doesn't have anything to do with AFSPA.

Things like reducing the number of CRPF bunkers in urban areas, easing of rules on providing loans, equal sharing of hydro electricity being generated by J&K waters so that they can earn money by exporting electricity to other states rather than paying for it to the Centre or at least employing locals in these power projects are all recommendations that have nothing to do with AFSPA. But if you talk to local Kashmiris, they will raise these issues.

You can read up on these issues here.
NHPC employs 80 workers from outside JK Lastupdate:- Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com
KashmirWatch - Latest News & In-depth Coverage on Kashmir Conflict
RBI needs to enable, not disable - Columns - livemint.com
 

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