July 28, 2000, 17:30 Hrs (IST)
Lahore: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed has denied
reports linking the unilateral ceasefire declared by Hizbul Mujahideen in
Jammu and Kashmir with his visit to the United States and said the
declaration by the rebel group was not unanimous.
"It is absolutely baseless. I have condemned it. It is out of sheer enmity
that such unfounded rumours are being spread," he told journalists here on
his return from the US, NNI news agency reported.
He maintained that Hizbul's cease-fire declaration was not unanimous. "The
temporary cease-fire has been announced by a few individuals and we can't
blame the entire Hizbul Mujahideen for that. It is neither acceptable to the
Kashmiri people nor to freedom fighters. Our stance is above board and
people pay more heed to what we say," he said.
The pro-Pakistan Hizb, considered close to the Jamaat, declared a unilateral
ceasefire on Monday and offered talks with the Indian government. Hizb
leader Syed Salahuddin reconfirmed the decision later.
The Muttahida Jihad Council, an umbrella organisation of 16 separatist
outfits fighting in Kashmir, expelled the Hizbul Mujahideen from its fold
following the unilateral ceasefire declaration.
Ahmed said it would become clear in a few days that those who announced the ceasefire
had fallen prey to a plot and "they will regret this decision".
He said his organisation had tried to persuade the Hizbul Mujahideen to
revoke its decision, but to no avail.
"But they will soon learn it is a wrong step," he said and noted that Prime Minister
Atal Behari Vajpayee has said that any talks on Kashmir will be within the framework
of the Indian Constitution.
India Abroad News Service
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