Official in Indian held Kashmir wants to play role in “quiet diplomacy”

SIRNAGAR (SANA): Chief Information Commissioner in the puppet regime in the Indian held Kashmir Wajahat Habibullah said the other day he was ready to play a role in the “quiet diplomacy” between separatists and New Delhi.

“I will be happy to play a role if asked for. It is true that I have friends across the political spectrum in Kashmir. If I can be helpful I will not be reluctant,” Habibullah, who would be taking over as the Chief Information Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir later this month told Greater Kashmir.

“Yes, I keep on meeting them (separatists). They are all my friends. But my meetings are not part of the back channel diplomacy,” said Habibullah who belongs to Kashmir cadre and has served the state in various important positions including that of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wishes to use my experience in the state wherever it is necessary,” he added.

His meetings with separatist leaders including Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq are being seen as part of New Delhi’s diplomatic effort to bring them on the negotiating table.

However, Habibullah tried to down play the meetings with them. “I met Mirwaiz and felicitated him on birth of his baby girl. I also met Geelani sahib in New Delhi earlier and inquired about his health. I respect him,” Habibullah said.

About his new role as head of the State Information Commission in JK, Habibullah said he would try to put in order the information law, which has been brought at par with the central law.

Asked whether the central paramilitary and other forces were accountable under the Right to information Act, he said, “If any human right violation is committed by the security forces then it becomes necessary on them to provide information under the act. However, it is the right of the information Commission to decide whether the violation has been committed,” he said.

Habibullah who will be retiring next year admitted a trend had developed in Kashmir that no information was shared with the people which gave a bad impression about the government.