Govt, Hurriyat pledge to continue talks, Qureshi critical

Srinagar, Dec 5 (PTI) Both the Indian Government and the
Hurriyat Conference Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to
the dialogue process to address issues in India's northernmost
state of Jammu and Kashmir even as moderate separatist leader
Fazl Haq Qureshi remained in a critical condition after being
shot in what is seen as an attempt to sabotage the talks.

Taking a defiant stand, Hurriyat Conference Chairman
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said the amalgam will not be cowed down by
such acts and will pursue the path of dialogue for resolving
the Kashmir problem.
He said the Hurriyat believes in dialogue with India and
Pakistan to "reach the goal" of resolving the matter.
Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram said in a statement
in New Delhi that the attack on Qureshi was a cowardly attempt
by those who do not wish that the problems of Jammu and
Kashmir should be resolved through talks and in a peaceful
manner.
"The correct response at this hour is not to be cowed
down by these violent acts or allow fear to interrupt the
process of quiet diplomacy," he said.
Noting that he was happy to read the statements of the
Mirwaiz and others who have vowed to continue their efforts to
find a peaceful solution through talks with the Centre,
Chidambaram said "on our part, I assure the people of Jammu
and Kashmir that we remain committed to finding a solution
through quiet talks with every shade of political opinion in
the state." (MORE) PTI AMS
ANU


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