Separatists divided over talks with Centre ahead of PM visit

Srinagar, Oct 10 (PTI) Ahead of Prime Minister of India
Manmohan Singh's visit to Kashmir, separatists in the valley
in north India are divided over talks with the Centre as
moderate Hurriyat leaders say he should unveil a firm policy
on the vexed issue while militants and hardliners oppose any
dialogue.
The two sides are divided on the strike called by hardline
Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on October 18 when Singh
is to commences his two-day visit of the state. The hardliners
are opposed to any kind of dialogue with the government.
Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who had expressed
readiness for unconditional talks with India and Pakistan,
said Hurriyat believes only dialogue can solve the Kashmir
issue and looks forward for talks with India and Pakistan.
He insisted that the Prime Minister come with a firm
policy on Kashmir. "Singh should reach with a concrete Kashmir
policy and not with traditional packages and politicking".
The Mirwaiz said he expects Singh to visit with a clear
mind and will to resolve Kashmir issue in accordance with the
aspirations of Kashmiris. "I hope Singh's visit would be a
beginning of a result-oriented dialogue with Kashmiris and
Pakistan for resolution" of the issue, he said.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former chief
minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed cautioned the Centre against
using "pick and choose" policy while initiating a dialogue
with separatist groups.
"Unconditional dialogue should be started with all
sections of the society including all factions of Hurriyat
conference for amicable solution of Kashmir problem", he said.
"The Centre should come out with a positive attitude to
initiate dialogue with Pakistan and Kashmiri leaders. There is
need for resumption of dialogue at the highest level to take
the peace process ahead", he said.
PoK-based United Jehad Council, an umbrella group of
13 militants outfits, said, "Singh's visit was nothing but an
attempt to rub salt to the wounds of Kashmiris".

Without naming Mirwaiz, the UJC said in a statement
that "India under international pressure started talking about
dialogue and its agents have followed suit".

"India is trying to trap some Kashmiri leaders with
the bait of dialogue to ease international pressure to convey
to the world that Kashmir was its internal matter", it
claimed.
While moderate Hurriyat has remained silent on the
call for strike on October 18, UJC has extended support to
Geelani's bandh call.

Jailed Dukhtaran-e-Millat chairperson Asiya Andrabi
alleged the dialogue process is not aimed at resolving Kashmir
issue. "India has never been sincere in its effort for
dialogue."
She advised Pakistan and Hurriyat leadership to make
the right to self determination its basis for dialogue.

Detained leader of hardline faction and Chairman
Muslim League Masrat Alam Bhat termed the dialogue as
"irrelevant" till India accepts "disputed" nature of Jammu and
Kashmir.
"International community continues to support us. We
have to remain steadfast and never compromise. But some people
without considering sacrifices rendered by masses here are
trying to colour the dreams of India and confusing the
masses", he said. PTI AMS
SDE