Former J-K DGP SP Vaid criticised JKLF chief Yasin Malik’s claim that he briefed ex-PM Manmohan Singh after meeting Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed. Vaid called it “shameful,” questioning the use of a convicted militant for alleged peace initiatives by past Indian governments.
Yasin Malik. file pic
After Mehbooba Mufti urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to look into Yasin Malik’s case through a ‘humanitarian lens’, the former Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid on Friday criticised JKLF chief Yasin Malik's claim. The former JK DGP said that Yasin Malik briefed then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after meeting Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, calling it a "matter of shame" for the government of that time.
Yasin Malik has been convicted in terror-related cases and is serving a life sentence in a 2017 terror-funding case. Malik claimed in a sworn affidavit that he had travelled to Pakistan, met Hafiz Saeed, and subsequently briefed Manmohan Singh, reported ANI.
While speaking to the media on Friday, the former JK DGP said that it was shocking that someone involved in killings could have been used for "diplomatic purposes".
Vaid asserted, “What could be more shameful than this? Yasin Malik's affidavit states that he travelled to Pakistan, met with Hafiz Saeed, and subsequently briefed then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh upon his return. This means you are using a murderer like Yasin Malik, who killed five of your air force men and killed so many Kashmiri Hindu pandits," as cited by news agency ANI.
The former JK top cop further added, "A murderer is being used as a diplomat to approach Hafiz Saeed, who is an India-hater and heads the Lashkar-e-Taiba and is responsible for killing thousands of Indians... I leave it to the people of this country to decide what kind of government they want... It is such a disgrace to have such diplomacy and government."
A day earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik claimed before the Delhi High Court that, far from being a terrorist, he was repeatedly engaged by six successive Indian governments, from VP Singh to Manmohan Singh, to participate in peace initiatives on Kashmir.
Yasin Malik further alleged that meetings facilitated by the Indian establishment were later "twisted" to portray him as a conspirator, reported ANI.
Jammu and Kashmir militant Yasin Malik, who is currently serving a life sentence in a 2017 terror-funding case, made these assertions in detailed written submissions filed in response to the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) appeal seeking the death penalty against him.
According to Malik, his engagement began in the early 2000s when the then Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director Ajit Doval visited him in jail to convey the Vajpayee government's interest in a peace process.
Yasin Malik further asserted that after his meeting with Ajit Doval, the NSA set up his meeting with IB Director Shyamal Dutta and National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra, who asked for his support for the Ramzan ceasefire.
(With inputs from ANI)
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