'Dialogue process on Kashmir should be result oriented': Mirwaiz

Srinagar: Some separatist groups today said they are not against talks with the Centre for resolution of the Kashmir issue but maintained that the government needs to take certain steps before resumption of the dialogue process. Moderate Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said his faction was not against dialogue and they were ready for a meaningful dialogue between India, Pakistan and leadership of Kashmir. “The talks should not be held for the sake of talking. The process should be result oriented,” Mirwaiz said in response to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s statement on dialogue with separatists. [caption id=“attachment_169497” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the separatist alliance All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference. Reuters”]  [/caption] Chidambaram had on Friday said channels of communication with some of the separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir were still open and there was a possibility of negotiation with them in the New Year if they came forward for dialogue. “As far as talks with the separatists groups in Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, we are always open to talk to them…it is possible that some of them in 2012 will agree to come forward for talks. If they are ready for talks, we are ready for talks,” the Home Minister had said. However, Mirwaiz, whose moderate faction has held several rounds of talks with the Centre till 2005 before pulling out, said dialogue process so far has not yielded any results as the government was “never serious” about talks. The Hurriyat Chairman said his group had given four point proposal that included demilitarising Kashmir, repeal of “black” laws and release of political prisoners, for making forward movement on the resolution of Kashmir issue. “The government’s various wings seem to be confused. Home Minister offers dialogue but Army chief is against it…New Delhi could not reach a consensus on revocation of the AFSPA, which is a minor issue. How will they evolve consensus for resolution of Kashmir issue?” he said. Democratic Freedom Party president Shabir Ahmad Shah said he favours talks for resolving Kashmir issue but the Government of India does not seem to be serious as earlier talks had not “yielded anything”. He stressed on confidence building measures before commencement of any dialogue process. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sheikh Mohammad Hassan said his party believed in the tripartite talks to resolve the issue. “Our stand is tripartite dialogue process. Though we welcome the dialogue process, it should be result oriented and representatives of India, Pakistan and Kashmiris should sit together,” he said. PTI