NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday refrained from giving any outright assurance to the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on the demand for troops withdrawal from civilian areas in the State but agreed to continue discussions on the issue.

"We agreed to continue discussions as these issues cannot be sorted out in a single meeting," the People's Democratic Party leader told reporters after a luncheon meeting with Dr. Singh here.

PDP's view

During his 75-minute meeting, he explained "fully" the PDP's view on the need to gradually withdraw the troops, repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and vacate private and public property occupied by the security forces. "We are not seeking demilitarisation but gradual withdrawal of troops."

Avoiding questions on the possibility of an immediate threat to the PDP-Congress coalition Government, Mr. Sayeed said there was no need to put the cart before the horse. "Coalition or its functioning was not the subject of discussion and we want to see the response [of the Government]," he said.

However, according to reliable sources in the PDP, the Prime Minister expressed "difficulty" in conceding its demand but assured the Mufti that "some kind" of mechanism would be evolved to look into the issue, after Mr. Sayeed rejected the constitution of a committee to sort out differences.

Another round likely

The Government is likely to hold another round of talks with the PDP patron — at the Prime Ministerial level, if need be — to ensure that things moved "forward."

If the outcome of the meeting is "positive," the PDP could well postpone its crucial political affairs committee meeting scheduled for March 25.

The Mufti has been asked to stay back in the Capital for more consultations.

The Mufti said that for the healing touch policy — initiated in 2002 — to continue, the people of the Valley needed to be given some relief. "People have expressed faith in the political process, and democratic institutions now need to take over." Quoting Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Army sources that there was a general improvement in the situation and infiltration had declined, he, however, said the recent "fake encounters" and killing of innocent people did not bode well.The Prime Minister's media advisor Sanjaya Baru said "they had agreed to continue the conversation" while describing the meeting between the two leaders as routine. He said it was part of the Prime Minister's exercise to meet UPA allies. Dr. Singh also met West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee recently.

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