Repeal AFSPA in Kashmir: Basharat Peer

The often reference of ‘people to people’ approach to resolve the issue was not going to yield any result,he said.

Peer,also a journalist,said that Centre appointed three member interlocutors would not able to tackle the Jammu and Kashmir issue. ‘They are good professionals,but I do not think,they have the political acumen to deal with vexed issue like Kashmir’. ‘What is happening in Kashmir is not good’,he said.

Answering the role of Pakistan in Kashmir,Peer said Pakistan has no say in Kashmir. ‘Their stategy using militans have backfired on them’,he said. India is better positioned in resoling the issue,he added.

To a question about a solution,Peer said the idea of Indepenent Territoiral should be given a push forward.

Peer also said that separatist in Kashmir also did not have imagination and a clear cut guidelines of what they actually want.

Referring to the book,he said it was the portrait of some of the young boys protesting in Kashmir and all the events could be corroborated with facts. ‘It is not an imagination’,he said.

Peer said the book,published in 2008 was an outcome of talks,discussions and interview he had with people in Kashmir.

A session on environmental issues,to improve understanding and inspire positive actions to mitigate the effects of climate change was held as part of the festival.

A talk with Jnapith Award winner and Malayalam poet and lyricist O N V Kurup with K Satchidanandan,poet of national and international repute,was the another major attration of the day.

News magazine ‘The Week’ is hosting the event,as its main sponsor at the sprawling Kanakakunnu place grounds.

About 50 authors,thinkers and performers from the country and across the world are participating in the event,an annual get-together.