Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: In a stern message to separatists, the Union Home Ministry on Wednesday reportedly rejected “conditional talks” offer by Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Geelani had asked the government to accept his series of demand, which includes acknowledgement of Kashmir as an international dispute, demilitarisation Jammu and Kashmir, revocation of AFSPA, release of political prisoners and prosecution of security forces allegedly responsible for killing of civilians before coming to a dialogue table with government.
“Geelani’s philosophy is not at all acceptable to the government,” Home Ministry sources said. “Govt is not willing to talk with anyone who sets conditions on the Kashmir issue,” they said.
Reacting to the development noted academician Radha Kumar, one of the interlocutors on Kashmir, said it would have been better had Geelani set no pre-condition for talks. Kumar, however, said there is an international element in Kashmir. The Kashmir interlocutor was referring to Shimla agreement and Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The three-member interlocutors’ panel on J&K recently submitted a report to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, suggesting a “roadmap” to address the Kashmir issue.
It is learnt that while avoiding the "pre-1952 status" phraseology, the report advocated for ensuring a "meaningful autonomy" for J&K.
Sources informed that the report is said to have recommended the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Disturbed Areas Act from the state.
First Published: Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 20:01