Mirwaiz working out modalities with party leaders for talks with New Delhi

SRINAGAR (SANA): Meeting of the executive members of Hurriyat Conference (M) to decide whether or not to hold talks with New Delhi, remained inconclusive the other day as some of them demanded that all stakeholders including leaders from outside the amalgam be taken into confidence.

The meeting could not decide on the issue of proposed talks with New Delhi. “Some members pressed hard for taking into confidence general council members and the nation (Kashmiri people) before moving ahead,” Hurriyat sources said.

After two sessions of discussions during the day, Mirwaiz called off the meeting of the eight-member council asking the leaders to assemble again within the next couple of days, they said, adding that the meeting is likely to be resumed on Monday.

Former Hurriyat Chairman Moulana Abbass Ansari who along with Abdul Gani Bhat left the venue soon after the meeting told reporters, “We have informed the meeting about our stand on the talks. It remained inconclusive and we are meeting again in the next couple of days,” he said refusing to divulge further details. Calling for taking on board all the stakeholders, the sources said, the leaders were of the opinion that “any hasty decision on talks at this crucial juncture could prove suicidal.”

Sources said the meeting also discussed the proposed Pakistan visit of the Hurriyat leaders threadbare. “Members wanted to know with what agenda Hurriyat leadership would go to Pakistan. They also wanted to know whether any roadmap had been drafted for holding deliberations,” they added.

Sources said the members also discussed several measures to strengthen the conglomerate before entering into a dialogue with New Delhi and visiting Pakistan. When contacted Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that they were in no hurry to enter into a dialogue with New Delhi. “Before holding any talks with New Delhi we will build consensus within the pro-freedom camp. We don’t want to take any decision in a hurry,”
“I am trying to get all groups on board before resuming talks with Delhi. Some are willing and others are not. Let’s see what happens,” he said.

Mirwaiz said that before entering into any process with New Delhi it remained to be seen whether it would take any steps to make ground situation conducive for talks. “We had put forward a list of demands including release of political prisoners, revocation of the draconian laws, phased withdrawal of troops and other measures needed to make the situation better. Let’s see how New Delhi responds,” he added.

He said, adding that a Hurriyat team would be in Pakistan after Eid-ul-Zuha.

“We will be meeting the Pakistan leadership. It is a part of our effort to seek peaceful resolution of the (Kashmir) issue,” he added.