SRINAGAR: National Conference president Omar Abdullah has said a timeframe should be set for the peace process to find an amicable solution to the Kashmir problem. He was also for a ceasefire with the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen saying that the outfit's struggle was more political than religious.

Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Abdullah, who is also a Member of Parliament, said the joint statement issued after the Havana meet would definitely help bring about a positive atmosphere. After the Mumbai blasts, both India and Pakistan were cornered.

"But now it looks like that they [the leaders] have come away from their respective stands." That Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf agreed for a joint mechanism to fight terror was a significant shift in policy, he said.

"I think we can work with Musharraf on these lines and I believe it is a milestone in the process." But he stressed the need to have a concrete framework for resolving all issues through the peace process. "Kashmir should not be on the backburner and it is an overwhelming issue.I cannot say it is core issue but is the single largest area of disagreement between the two countries.

Talks should go on

Urging the Centre and Pakistan not to wait for violence to end completely, Mr. Abdullah said "do not be under this impression that violence will come to halt overnight." The Union Government should have to reconcile with the fact that infiltration and violence never end like this. "The talks have to go on," he said cautioning that, "we have to be on guard to prevent a massacre like in Mumbai or the large-scale killings in Kashmir."

Ceasefire

Mr. Abdullah advocated ceasefire in the Valley but said it should be with the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and not with the Lashkar-e-Taiba or the Jaish-e-Mohammad. "It is like a situation in which U.S. can never think of having ceasefire with the Al-Qaeda and we with the LeT or JeM. But with HM, yes, surely because I think they have more interest in Kashmir and their struggle is more political than religious.

Mr. Abdullah said ceasefire was now inevitable. "It is highly desirable and I think it can be considered to improve domestic situation," he said adding that everybody in Jammu and Kashmir wanted it. But, at the same time, he said Pakistan might not be in favour of ceasefire.

"And, we need to have correct approach because I think security agencies may be against ceasefire apprehending that it may give militants an opportunity to regroup." The people deserve a breather, he said.

To a question, however, Mr Abdullah said that ceasefire should be with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and not the Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammad. "It is like a situation in which U.S. can never think of having ceasefire with Al-Qaeda and we with LeT or JeM." Balanced one

Reacting to the Human Rights Watch report recently released in Srinagar, he said it was a balanced one. The HRW gained a lot of credibility by talking about abuses from both sides. He said that Government should adopt transparency in what it is doing. "We have nothing to hide."

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