Will consider if I get Centre's invite for talks: Geelani

Srinagar: Hurriyat hardliners led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who have so far declined to take part in talks with the Centre or its interlocutors, today said the amalgam’s advisory council will take a decision if they receive a fresh communication in this regard. “India is saying we will talk… till now many talks have been held. We are saying if we receive a letter for talks, then we will think over it. We have a council which will consider it,” Geelani told a press conference at his Hyderpora residence here. He said the hardline faction will also have deliberations with a “wide circle of like-minded people”. “Whatever will be decided, we will tell you,” Geelani said, adding the “institution of dialogue” has to be purposeful. [caption id=“attachment_113111” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Syed Ali Shah Geelani in this file photo. Reuters.”]  [/caption] Commenting on the recent statement of militant commander and United Jehad Council chief Syed Salahuddin wherein he had asked both the factions of Hurriyat Conference to desist from participating in the dialogue with the Centre, Geelani said they had their “own system”. “We think on the level of our system,” he said. Geelani also criticised the “policy” of settling slum-dwellers in the state, alleging it was a ploy to change the demography of Jammu and Kashmir. He also demanded restriction on the number of pilgrims to the Amarnath cave shrine, saying an unrestricted number was “damaging” the ecological balance of the Himalayas. PTI