In what could cause a setback to the peace process in Jammu and Kashmir, Shabir Shah, the only senior separatist leader to hold talks with Centre's interlocutor K C Pant, has accused New Delhi of not being sincere in solving the Kashmir issue. He also ruled out any further talks till the government displayed seriousness. Stressing that a solution to the vexed issue could be achieved only through talks and not guns, Shah said the Centre had not responded to his four-point suggestions for creating conducive atmosphere in Kashmir.
“I believe in talks and I have always maintained that dialogue is the only way of solving the Kashmir issue, Shah, who heads Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), said in New Delhi.
He said he had responded to the Centre's initiative despite challenges only because of this belief. But, over the time, it has unfolded that the government is not serious and Pant's mission was just an eyewash, the separatist leader alleged.
Any further talks with the Centre will be a futile exercise till the government displays its seriousness and sincerity to solve the Kashmir issue, he said.
Shah was the only separatist leader to meet Pant in Kashmir when the latter went there in may last to talk to various groups on ways of solving the problem. The Hurriyat Conference had refused to meet Pant. The JKDFP leader later again met Pant in delhi.
Bureau Report