Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar-led peaceniks meet Mehbooba, separatist leaders in Srinagar

Srinagar: A delegation of peace activists led by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Thursday called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and senior separatist leaders in an effort to create space for dialogue in the unrest-wracked state.

Besides Aiyar, the delegation comprised O.P. Shah, Air Vice Marshal (retired) Kapil Kak, Vinod Sharma and Khalid Tufail.

The team called on Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat group in the morning at his city outskirts Nigeen residence in Srinagar.

The delegation later called on another senior separatist leader, Shabir Shah, chairman of Democratic Freedom Party.

In the afternoon the delegation members met the octogenarian hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani at his uptown Hyderpora residence in Srinagar.

The delegation called on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in the evening.

An official statement said here: "The delegation had an extensive discussion on wide ranging issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir with the Chief Minister.

"Members of the delegation informed the Chief Minister about the impressions of their visit to the Valley.

"Mehbooba Mufti appreciated the initiative taken by them and informed them that she has been advocating for long that dialogue and peaceful means of engagement are the only ways ahead to get the issues resolved.

"The Chief Minister thanked the delegation for taking interest in the difficulties being faced by the people of the State".

Earlier this week, the delegation members attended a seminar in Srinagar organized by an NGO, Centre for Peace and Progress.

The seminar discussed ways and means to create space for dialogue to end violence and uncertainty in the state.