Time for dialogue to resolve Kashmir problem: Hurriyat

SRINAGAR - The time had come for a meaningful dialogue to resolve the Kashmir problem, and people from the valley need to come forward to initiate the process, the moderate wing of the separatist Hurrriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said Wednesday.

In a significant move, the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat group issued a statement that said: We have reached a stage where we need to rise above political affiliations and show statesmanship in starting a political process.

After all, it is Kashmiris who are getting killed and therefore, Kashmiris, through mutual consultation, will have to come forward to find a solution to the vexed problem.

The central government appointed interlocutors on Kashmir have been approaching the separatist leaders for a dialogue but to no avail.

Both the factions of the Hurriyat, including the hardline wing led by Syed Ali Geelani, have declined to speak to the interlocutors.

Wednesday’s statement assumes significance in light of media reports that the central interlocutors would make an all out effort to engage the separatist leaders in a dialogue before submitting the final draft of their recommendations to the central government.