People's Democracy

OVER one thousand young delegates attended a day long convention of students and youth organised by Democratic Youth Federation of Kashmir (DYFK), held on November 20. In this convention held at the Dak Bunglow, Khanabal in Anantnag district, four resolutions were passed -Against Human Rights violation; Against Ban on Recruitment; Against Saffronisation and Commercialisation of Education and Against US bombing on Afghanistan. These resolutions were moved by DYFK leaders, Mohd. Amin, Mohd. Yaqoob, Mohd. Afzal and Ramesh Bhat, and were adopted unanimously.

The convention was addressed by Tapas Sinha, general secretary of DYFI, P Krishnaprasad, president SFI and Sakti Roy Choudhury, secretariat member DYFI.

Later at a press briefing they said "we feel the students and youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the chief victims of the Kashmir tragedy, need a healing touch with restoration of confidence and hope in future. The main demands of DYFK, i.e. peace, employment and development are to be popularised among the youth and students and they have to be organised under the banner of the democratic youth and student movement."

In the resolution against ban on recruitment it was stated that thanks to the virtual absence of any industrial base in the valley, the youthful energy is threatened with a state of permanent waste, vulnerable to unhealthy channels in the specific scenario prevailing in the state. Currents of desperation consume those who, in moment of passion, or indecision took up the gun, finding no return path. For the attainment of peace in the troubled state the central leaders put forward the following propositions:

• We demand general amnesty for those, who somehow got involved in the insurgency but are willing to follow peaceful life.
• Equal job opportunities must be provided to those who wish to live in peace, but have been denied employment on the ground that they had a militant past.
• The state should not make discrimination between dependents of victims of violence in the matter of relief. The state cannot shirk its duties towards the family members of the deceased militants, as is done presently. These members do not cease to be the citizens, merely because any of their bread winners has taken up the gun. In most cases the militants take up the path of violence, much against the wishes of the family members.
• The union government has to provide a special drive for the absorption of youth of the state in central government and public sector services and for admission in educational institutions outside the state, by making substantial reservation in their favour for a fixed period.
• The government of India has to facilitate the return of the youth of the state to their home, who strayed into the other side of line of control in the wake of disturbances in the valley for various reasons, but are willing to lead normal lives, back home.
• SFI and DYFI support the struggles of the DYFK for attaining the just and democratic demands of the students and youth of the valley.

It was also decided that a demonstration on Kashmir issues will be held in New Delhi during the budget session of Parliament and a memorandum will be submitted to the prime minister of India and the president of India, the day will be observed as solidarity day throughout the country by the DYFI and SFI. (INN)