New Delhi, Feb 23: Six months after coming into existence, the Kashmir Committee headed by former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani today suspended its agenda of talks with separatists in Jammu and Kashmir saying the Centre's new interlocutor N N Vohra should be given a "free field" to find peace in the restive state. Stating that the suspension of talks with separatist groups could be a prelude to closing down of its operations in the state, convenor of the Kashmir Committee Ashok Bhan told a news agency that "we don't want to be seen as the one who plays spoil sport in bringing peace to the state. Our aim was to restore the lost glory and we don't mind anyone from the government shouldering the responsibility."
However, Bhan said the government had caused a lot of impediments in its efforts to restore peace in the state. "We were only helping the government, which unfortunately continued to undermine our efforts." The committee had done its job and shown the path to the Central regime that "one could win the hearts of the people in the state with love. A proper hearing is all that is needed," Bhan said.

The seven member committee was formed in August last year. Besides Jethmalani and Bhan, the other members of the committee included former law minister Shanti Bhushan, eminent Lawyer Fali Nariman, noted scribes Dileep Padgaonkar and M J Akbar and retired diplomat V K Grover. Bureau Report