The Hindu : National : ``Inaugural bus must include people from all walks of life''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 31, 2005

National

National

``Inaugural bus must include people from all walks of life''

By Luv Puri

JAMMU, MARCH 30. Even as the threat by terrorists to disrupt the opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service looms large, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the People's Democratic Forum have appealed for the inclusion of people from all walks of life for the inaugural run on April 7.

In a press statement here today, they said: "The move to open the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road has aroused new hopes in Jammu and Kashmir. This indeed constitutes a major confidence building measure, which is demonstrated from the tremendous public enthusiasm in both parts of the political divide. It is gratifying that leaders of some political parties of the State propose to travel on April 7 on the first bus travelling across the Line of Control. We believe that various shades of public opinion and also those who somehow remained away from the democratic process in the State are not behind others in their earnestness for this significant event. They too should be provided an opportunity to participate in the event."

The signatories to the statement include the CPI(M) State secretary, M.Y. Tarigami, the CPI(M) MLA, Khalil Naik, the Revenue Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, the Forest Minister, Sofi Ghulam Mohiuddin, the Industries Minister, Raman Matoo, the Planning and Development Minister, Usman Majid.

The statement comes in the wake of a report by a local daily that a number of politicians have applied to travel on the inaugural service to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The politicians include the National Conference president, Omar Abdullah, the People's Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti, Mr. Tarigami and the State Congress chief, Peerzada Syed.

Many others had also expressed a desire to travel across the Line of Control to get a first hand view of the situation in PoK. But the main worry before the politicians is whether the Pakistan High Commission will approve their trip.

The Pakistan Government does not consider any political party in Jammu and Kashmir to be the representatives of the people there; instead, the separatist leaders are considered to be their representatives.

Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Tarigami said, "We have filed our papers but I am not sure whether we will make it on the first bus."

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