Srinagar: The moderate faction of the
Hurriyat Conference on Sunday said it is ready for a negotiated
settlement of the Kashmir issue but the Centre has to exhibit
seriousness by engaging popular sentiments in the state at
political level.
The experiment of interlocutors has been a failure,
amalgam chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told a rally in North
Kashmir in Kupwara district, some 100-km from here.
"If the Central government is serious and sincere in
finding a solution to the Kashmir issue, they have to engage
popular sentiments and aspirations of the people at political
level," he said.
The Hurriyat wants a peaceful resolution of the issue
through talks among India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris and is
willing to discuss various alternatives put forth so far, the
Hurriyat softliner said.
"If the leadership of two countries can meet and talk
on a cricket match, why can`t they do the same on Kashmir?" he
asked.
Several other separatist leaders, including Bilal Gani
Lone, addressed the rally.
PTI
