Srinagar: Former interlocutor Radha Kumar today said Kashmir needs a permanent solution and the cosmetic measures used over the years wont work now.
Speaking to Press Trust of Kashmir (PTK) over phone from Delhi, Kumar, who was part of the three member interlocutors team to Kashmir set up by then UPA government post the 2010 uprising, said the report submitted by them to then Manmohan Singh led government is still valid and can help in settling or containing the crisis in Kashmir.
However, in the same breath she said that Kashmir needs a permanent political settlement.
She said the unemployment, human rights violations and these frequent uprisings are the off-shoots of the political uncertainty.
If the government has the political will it can go ahead and settle the issue, she said.
Asked what could be the reasons behind such on and off protests and uprisings, she said people of Kashmir can give the better answer to this question.
As you know human right is very big problem apart from the civilian and political rights, she said, adding, people in Kashmir now want to see permanent everything related to their problem.
She said Hurriyat should have talked to then interlocutors team as there was nothing wrong in talking even if they (interlocutors) werent the political representatives from the government of India. Someone has to build the foundation. It can be the other leaders and not the top leader like prime minister. Prime Minister will give the final touch
She said in the present situation there is a need to start a new process and engage all types of legislators and cross civil society members. Bring the past achievements back and move on.
Asked voices in Kashmir are now growing about the plebiscite to be held in the state taking a cue from Scotland referendum, she said, One must be realistic. I see zero chances of that happening. I dont see that culture in our part of the world. Where have you seen referendum happening in any part of India on any issue? she said.
They (Western people) have such culture. The whole of south Asia have to develop that culture. If we talk of holding referendum in Kashmir, before that such a culture has to start at the national level. But we should never over rule anything. Things and culture in a country can change overnight, Kumar said.
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