No engagement with Hurriyat for now; talks and terror can't go hand-in-hand: Union minister Jitendra Singh

New Delhi: As long as the Hurriyat Conference supports terror and separatism, the government would not hold any reconciliatory dialogue with them, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.

Singh also refused to accept the argument that Hurriyat is an 'important' stakeholder in resolving the Kashmir issue.

"Our agenda of alliance in Jammu and Kashmir says that we will talk to stakeholders. But who are the stakeholders.

“Are Kashmiri Pandits not a stakeholder? Are Sikhs and Ladakhis not stakeholders?

“Are 65 percent youth of Kashmir Valley not stakeholders," India Today quoted him as saying.

Asked if Hurriyat is a stakeholder, Singh said, "Hurriyat too (is a stakeholder). But, why only Hurriyat?"

He added that till the Hurriyat 'supports' terror and separatism, the government will not talk to their leaders.

Singh invoked former prime minister Indira Gandhi in defending his government's decision not to talk to Hurriyat.

"You can't shake hands with someone who has clenched fist. This is not me who says this. Indira Gandhi had said this," he was quoted as saying.

He said the Kashmiri youth want "progress" and not violence.

"Just three days back, 68,000 boys and girls came out for 700 vacancies in the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

“This is a reflection of their choice. This shows that they want to progress and engagement with them is on," the report quoted Singh as saying.