Jammu, Jan 27: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said the Centre was ready to hold talks with anyone "who stands up against violence" in Jammu and Kashmir but appeared to be disinclined towards an internal ceasefire in the state. Advani, who made his first visit to the forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in the state, said the government could not "afford to let down our vigil" on the borders although there had been no shelling or firing since Indo-Pak ceasefire came into effect in November last year.
"Government is willing to talk to anyone who stands up against violence. Hurriyat leaders had been invited and they responded," he told reporters when asked whether the government intended to invite other separatist groups for a dialogue.
"Government of India is willing to talk to anyone who stands against violence," Advani said replying to a question as to why talks were not held with other Hurriyat faction, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and militants,” he said Hurriyat was invited for the talks and they have responded positively.

Regarding the demand made by the state government for announcement of unilateral internal ceasefire on the eve of forthcoming Eid, Advani referred to the unilateral ceasefire during Ramzan three years back.
"That experience was not a happy one," he said, noting that government would bear that in mind while taking a decision.

Asked whether terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan had been dismantled, Advani refused to comment, saying the government was going by the joint statement of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf where Islamabad had affirmed not to allow its territory to be used by terrorists.

Bureau Report