02051958 Dispatch published in the Daily Telegraph of 2 May 1958: SHEIKH IN LEAGUE WITH PAKISTAN Kashmir Premier Defends Arrest of Menace From Gordon Shepherd Daily Telegraph Special Correspondent Srinagar, Kashmir, Thursday
APPENDIX
02051958 Dispatch published in the Daily Telegraph of 2 May 1958: SHEIKH IN LEAGUE WITH PAKISTAN Kashmir Premier Defends Arrest of Menace From Gordon Shepherd Daily Telegraph Special Correspondent Srinagar, Kashmir, Thursday
Bakshi Ghuiam Mohammed, Prime Minister of Kashmir, described to me today the reasons which led him to order the re-arrest of Sheikh Abdullah, his principal political opponent. He accused Sheikh Abdullah outright of conspiring with Pakistan to launch religious disturbances among the Kashmir people.
Sheikh Abdullah was seized at his house in Srinagar early on Wednesday and driven to Kud gaol in the neighbouring province of Jammu. Gholam Mohammed said; "We acted like any other Government would have done given the information in our possession. If Sheikh Abdullah had opposed me by normal means and had come forward with an alternative programme he would be free today. Instead he preached Moslem fanaticism and that was too dangerous here for us to tolerate indefinitely." I said: "Sheikh Abdullah began to use the religious appeal in mosque speeches soon after his release from captivity in January. Why was his re-arrest delayed ?" Given every chance-Refused to come round Mr. Ghulam Mohammed replied: "We could have acted long ago. But we wanted to give him every chance to see sense and come round. This he simply refused to do. There were also other considerations."
I asked whether Abdallah's reported secret contacts with Pakistan were among these "other considerations". At this question the Prime Minister removed his sunglasses and tapped them on the table for emphasis. He said: "There is no doubt that Sheikh Abdullah was in league with Pakistan. It was from there that in all probability he was getting the funds with which to raise his private army. I cannot say more on this now as a statement is being prepared on his activities which I may make myself in a few days."
Carried sticks-Brigade of "Ansars' ' Mr. Ghulam Mohammed's mention of a "private army" refers to the so-called Brigade of "Ansars' ' which Sheikh Abdullah was recruiting from his sympathizers. They wore a badge of inverted crossed swords and carried "lathis'', or stout sticks, as "weapons".
There were about 4,500 of them shortly before his arrest. I asked: "If Sheikh Abdullah's organisation had grown into such a menace how was it that 36 hours after his re-arrest there has still been not the slightest sign of protest from his followers ?"
The Prime Minister replied: "We have been asking ourselves that. I have been a little surprised at the lack of any reaction so far."
A latent menace-Question of Public Trial It seems to show that Sheikh Abdullah was a latent rather than an actual menace. But he was a menace. When asked Whether his prisoner would be brought to trial and given a chance to defend himself in public against these charges Mr. Ghulam Mohammed was cautious. He said: "We shall see. This matter is being investigated and I shall see what my legal experts recommend."
Mr. Ghulam Mohammed referred to the "nonsense" broadcast over Pakistan radio today that Kashmir was in a state of turmoil. He asked me to convince myself that there had been no mass arrests and that life is continuing normally.
Without a tour of the gaols the first point would be difficult to check. But as I reported yesterday, there is no reason to suppose that more than two of Sheikh Abdullah's supporters have been imprisoned with him.
The shops in Srinagar were all open today and busy ensnaring tourists in the usual manner. There is no curfew in the town and no sign of outward tension beyond the intensified armed police patrols.
Mr. Ghulam Mohammed seemed more apprehensive when I asked about the latest position on the cease-fire line with Pakistan. "Something might be tried there, but so far the line has remained absolutely quiet." he said. Armies unchanged-Pakistan Frontier.
"There do not appear to have been any unusual movements of Pakistan troops and our own forces have not been changed." He concluded with a special appeal to Britain for sympathy with his position.
"Your people know these particular problems better than anyone. Indeed, it is your old preventive detention legislation which we have used. Just look where we are on the map. Apart from Pakistan we have Russia, China and Afghanistan on our borders. In that exposed position political stability in our tiny state is absolutely essential. Kashmir's desire-"All We Want is Peace"
"We just cannot afford to have any turbulence. All we want is to be left in peace to get on with our economic plan and do more to raise the living standard of our people. That counts far more in the long run than mass hysteria."
Mr. Ghulam Mohammed, who formerly served in Sheikh Abdullah's Cabinet, is a powerfully built and confident man of 50. Our talk took place in the garden of his rather frowsy red brick villa in the centre of the town.
When we had finished he strolled across the lawn to some benches where an assortment of Kashmiri were collecting. It was one of his twice-weekly general audience hours when any citizen is allowed to come in and present his grievances. Today's gathering, I was told, was neither more nor less than usual.
Dubious methods-Public Hearing Needed
It is impossible to comment on his statements until the evidence to which he referred is produced. Only a formal and public charge of high treason against Sheikh Abdullah would nullify criticism of the methods used in silencing him.
It is also impossible to predict whether the complete calm in Kashmir will last. Tomorrow, the Moslem Sunday, will be the test period. But the indications so far are that Sheikh Abdullah's followers are not getting very hot under their astrakhan hats and are finding discretion the better part of valour.
(Source: UN Document no. S/4042)