SRINAGAR: Shock, anger and disbelief sum up the mood in the separatist camp after Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari described militants fighting in Jammu and Kashmir as "terrorists". The statement has put Kashmiri separatists again on notice with people beginning to raise questions about the rationale of relying on Islamabad for support.

"Our youths picked up arms only when New Delhi failed to address the Kashmir issue peacefully. Our struggle is for the right to self determination and that will continue peacefully. We have nothing to do with Zardari who should realise that our struggle is for our birthright," said Moulana Mohommad Abbaas Ansari, former chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, which pioneered the armed struggle in Kashmir, termed the statement as foolish. "No power on earth can defeat Kashmiris who have given huge sacrifices for achieving the goal of freedom," said Bashir Ahmad Bhat, vice-chairman of the JKLF.

Mohommad Azam Inqlabi, former chief commander of the Operation Balakote outfit, who now heads Mahaz-e-Azadi, described Zardari's statement a "blatant betrayal". "History will sideline Zardari akin to his predecessor Pervez Musharraf for his irresponsibility. He is trying to appease George Bush by these irresponsible statements because he is facing enormous crises, both economic and political," said Inqlabi.

But Kashmiri Pandits, who bore the brunt of militancy which forced them to migrate from the valley, were happy. "We have been victims of terrorism and this statement has vindicated our stand," said Ashwani Chrungoo, president of Panun Kashmir Movement, the apex body of migrant Kashmiri Pandits

Reactions from mainstream political parties were mixed. "We should congratulate prime minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for projecting the Kashmir issue in the right perspective," said Abdul Gani Vakil, vice-president of Jamp;K Pradesh Congress Committee. PDP said gun and grenades have no role in the peaceful struggle launched by the people. The National Conference said: "Let us first see what he has actually said."
Source : DNA