The demand to get Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s body to Kashmir received support from experts in Delhi who advised the Centre against taking a short-sighted decision.
Prof. MM Ansari – one of the three Kashmir interlocutors– said not returning the body would make it a rallying point: strengthen separatists, raise security management costs and narrow the space for a peace process.
Security experts concede it wasn’t an easy decision but indicated that the Centre should give due weightage to the J&K government’s opinion. Former R&AW chief AS Dulat said: “My sense is that if Delhi is seriously considering, they must consult the chief minister.”
Former IB chief Ajit Doval said the decision should be taken after getting an assessment of ground situation.
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind has condemned Afzal’s hanging in a letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, reversing its traditional habit of staying away from Kashmir affairs.
Peaceful Friday
Kashmir valley remained mostly calm on Friday, with strict curfew in Srinagar and all major towns. A few incidents of stone throwing were reported from north and south Kashmir.