Srinagar, Apr 17: The Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Forum, a constituent of the ruling coalition in the state, today asked Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to announce a unilateral ceasefire in the state to create a conducive atmosphere for Centre's interlocutor N N Vohra's mission next week. Welcoming Vajpayee's visit to Kashmir, PDF chairman Sofi Ghulam Mohiuddin, who is also a state minister, said the Prime Minister should consider declaring a unilateral ceasefire in the state on the eve of his visit.
Sofi, in a statement issued after a meeting of the party ministers and MLAs, hoped that this gesture on the part of the Prime Minister is likely to create a conducive atmosphere for Vohra's dialogue with various groups, including militants.
Vohra will be arriving here on April 21 to hold talks with a cross-section of political leaders in Kashmir, including the separatists.
The PDF, which came into being as a post electoral alliance after last year's assembly polls, also demanded that Vajpayee should announce an economic package for the state, including a special recruitment drive for unemployed youth in Central government organisations.
The forum noted with satisfaction the decision of the Prime Minister to visit the valley after last year's free and fair elections, which he promised from the red fort on the Independence Day.
Bureau Report