The Hindu : National : Centre-Hurriyat to evolve dialogue mechanism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 04, 2006

National

National

Centre-Hurriyat to evolve dialogue mechanism

Special Correspondent

Meeting of minds augurs well for the future of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of India and the region: Manmohan

PEACE TALKS: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Hurriyat leaders, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, Abdul Gani Bhat and Maulana Abbas Ansari during the second round of talks with Hurriyat leaders at the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi on Wednesday. _ PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT

NEW DELHI: The Centre and the All-Party Hurriyat Conference on Wednesday agreed to evolve a mechanism to continue dialogue with an aim to resolve the Kashmir problem.

After nearly two hours of direct talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the delegation of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was of the view that a structured dialogue process between concerned parties should be continued to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem.

In his brief remarks after the talks, Mr. Farooq said, "The process of dialogue has to go on between India and Pakistan as well as with the people of Kashmir. We now need to evolve a mechanism to continue it."

"Frank and fruitful"

Describing the delegation's discussions with the Prime Minister as "frank and fruitful," he said that several sensitive and important aspects came up during discussions. "We have agreed to work together and to discuss specifics also. We will evolve a mechanism to carry forward this process of dialogue and to ensure a forward movement."

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that in the overall situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir there was a need for having a mechanism to continue dialogue with all parties concerned, his media adviser Sanjay Baru said.

"We have a meeting of minds. This augurs well for the future of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of India and our region," Dr. Baru quoted the Prime Minister as having told the six-member delegation. The Prime Minister discussed a wide range of issues, questions of economic growth, trade across the Line of Control and human rights.

Mr. Farooq said that the internal issues of Jammu and Kashmir such as political prisoners, black laws and external dimensions were also discussed with the Prime Minister and his team of senior officials. "We will come back to the Prime Minister with our proposals," he added.

Asked if the separatist Hurriyat Conference would participate in the scheduled May 25 second roundtable to be held in Srinagar, Mr. Farooq said the conglomerate would take a decision after examining all details. Though the Mirwaiz evaded a direct reply, indications are that the Hurriyat may not be averse to attending the May 25 roundtable.

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