India Appoints Representative to Handle Kashmir Problem
India appointed Monday Dineshwar Sharma, a former Director of Intelligence Bureau, as the Representative of Government of India to initiate and carry forward a dialogue with the elected representatives, various organizations, and concerned individuals in the State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
Kashmir has always been a conflict area between India and Pakistan since 1947 when both these countries got freedom from the British rule. In order to stake their claims over Kashmir, India and Pakistan have fought two bloody wars in 1965 and 1971, besides incessant skirmishes between the rival armies.
Pakistan is leaving no stone unturned to internationalize the burning Kashmir issue as local Kashmiris are facing the wrath of Indian security forces.
Recently, Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi raised the issue of Kashmir with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
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Abbasi gave a dossier documenting human rights violations in “Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir” to Guterres.
The Pakistan PM urged the UN Secretary General to appoint a special envoy on Kashmir. He said it was necessary since India had closed all the doors on any dialogue.
Abbasi also briefed the Secretary General about ceasefire violations by Indian security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) and said there had been around 600 violations this year alone.
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Now India Representative Sharma is expected to initiate an interaction and dialogue to understand the legitimate aspirations of the wide cross sections of society, particularly the youth in Jammu and Kashmir and communicate them to the State Government and the Centre.
The move to appoint Sharma comes in the wake of various promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the needs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dineshwar Sharma is a retired IPS officer from 1979 Batch of Kerala Cadre. During his career, he has served in J&K, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur and as Additional Director and Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau in the Headquarters.
Photo courtesy: Press Information Bureau
