Udhampur: Jammu and Kashmir Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday asked separatists to take a cue
from the "courage" of former Hurriyat Chairman Maulana Abbas
Ansari and step forward for talks as there was no alternative
to dialogue in finding a lasting solution to Kashmir issue.
"I would like that the way Ansari showed courage to hold
talks (with Interlocutors), others (separatists) should also
come forward and hold talks (for resolution of Kashmir
problem)," Omar told reporters outside on the sidelines of a
function at Sher-i-Kashmir Police Training Academy at
Udhampur, 65-kms from Jammu.
"If everybody says that gun is no solution to the
problem. Definitely gun is no solution to the Kashmir issue.
Then what is? Then talks are (solution to the issue)," Chief
Minister said.
"If you (Separatists) are not ready for talks, then
how can we find out solution to the issue," he said and asked
all those who have not given their consent (to Interlocutors)
for talks till now, to also come forward for talks.
On the suspension of Ansari from Hurriyat, the Chief
Minister shot back saying "I have nothing to say on this. This
is their internal matter."
After months of efforts to break the ice with
separatists, Centre's interlocutors on Kashmir yesterday met
former Hurriyat Chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari, a move which
irked the moderate faction which suspended him from the
amalgam.
The Chief Minister distanced himself from the decision
of seven BJP legislators by their party high command for cross
voting during the just concluded Legislative Council elections
held saying "it is internal issue of the party".
PTI
First Published: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 16:40