Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday refused to meet the leaders of all-party delegation, terming such a measure as “deceitful” and insisting that it can not be an alternative to a “transparent agenda-based dialogue to address the core issue”.
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Panun Kashmir Convener Agnishakher told reporters 12 representatives of various Kashmiri Pandit organisations were invited for the meeting with the all-party delegation visiting Jammu and the time allotted to them was for eight minutes from 2.55 PM to 3.03 PM.
Earlier, Rajnath Singh said the government was ready to talk to anybody, raising hopes in Kashmir of possible negotiations with the separatist Hurriyat Conference that has two factions and claims to represent the all sections in the Valley.
Azad said it will be an opportunity for the parties and Kashmiri people to interact.
The Home Minister reiterated that the central government was prepared to talk to anybody and everybody who was interested in peace and normalcy in the state. Our doors are open for everyone.
“Kashmir was, is and will remain an integral part of India”, Rajnath said, signalling the hardening of postures on both sides. Various political parties expressed their concern over the injuries to civilians due to the use of pellet guns. The situation of unrest has emerged in the Valley from past 59 days now since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in Anantnag sector of Srinagar on July 8.
More than 30 delegations comprising 300 members from political parties, civil society, University teachers, fruit growers, students and intellectuals have presented their view before the delegation, he said.
The Home Minister said the Centre was providing all assistance to state government which is trying to improve the situation. There are many people in the delegation who actually have sympathies for the people of Kashmir.
The people of Kashmir need peace and normalcy. We had neither said no nor yes to their meetings (with separatists). However, he did not say whether it was approved by the Centre or BJP, a coalition partner in the state.
On a separate track, Asaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen went to meet moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz at Chashma Shahi where a tourist hut has been converted into a sub-jail.
“It depends on how we carry forward the dialogue and ideas to find resolution to the issue”, he said.
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Meanwhile, an all-party delegation led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today held talks with Mufti here as it began a two-day visit to J&K.
