Need stressed for involving Kashmiris in peace process

No viable and longstanding solution of Kashmir dispute is possible unless the people of Kashmiri are involved in the ongoing official-level dialogue between the governments of Pakistan and India.
This observation was made by an Indian research scholar, Amit Chakarborti, while speaking in a dialogue on 'Post-Election Pak, India Peace Process: Possible Solutions to the Kashmir Problem' here on Monday.
The dialogue was organised by Pak, India People Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) in collaboration with the Citizens Peace Committee (CPC) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
"Both sides must realise it if they really want a durable peace and sustainable stability in South Asian region," the visiting Indian researcher added.
Amit said: "Both the countries must keep in view the aspirations of those people (Kashmiris) about whom future they are going to take decisions."
Amit, who recently conducted a survey in occupied Kashmir, told the audience there had grown a "severe" sense of deprivation among Kashmiris for being neglected in the dialogue process.
"They (Kashmiris) have many questions in their minds as both sides are not showing any sign of involving them in the peace process in near future," Amit said.
About other outcomes of his survey, Amit said, almost 80 percent Kashmiris were in favour of a sovereign state while the rest either wanted to join Pakistan or India.
In which way the Kashmir issue was resolved, the Indian peace activist added, it would certainly end atrocities faced by the people of the occupied valley.
He also stressed the need for mobilising masses to press their respective governments for a peaceful resolution of the 56-year-old dispute between the two countries.
"Indeed," Amit said, "it is imperative for the socio-economic uplift of the valley as well as the whole South Asian region."
The Indian scholar called upon both the governments of Pakistan and India to decrease their defence expenditures so they could be able to take steps for the well-being of the masses.