N N Vohra in Srinagar

The Centre's interlocutor for Kashmir N N Vohra on Monday arrived in Srinagar on a week-long visit to hold talks with political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir, even as separatist groups, including the Hurriyat Conference, were still undecided over holding parleys with him.

The former Union home and defence secretary arrived by a special plane and was accompanied by two officials from the home ministry.

Vohra would begin interacting with the politicians from Tuesday.

The former bureaucrat is expected to meet CPI-M leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami and National Conference president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday.

The visit is being keenly watched especially after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during his two-day visit to the valley, said he would hold talks with anyone who wanted to.

Vohra is expected to meet representatives from the National Conference, Congress, People's Democratic Party, the Peoples' Democratic Forum and some individuals, including former chief ministers and intellectuals, during his visit.

Observers see a vast change in the Centre's approach this time.

Unlike the earlier mission headed by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K C Pant, who had sent invitations to all separatists groups, Vohra's telephone numbers were displayed in local newspapers to make him accessible to all.

But not everyone is happy.

Separatist leader Shabir Shah said, "Flashing telephone numbers on which Vohra will be available is like  inviting tenders or lodging complaints on petty issues, not something as serious as the Kashmir dispute."

"We do not have any problems with Vohra holding talks with the so-called elected representatives but that will not solve the problem as they are their own people. It shows that the Centre's initiative lacks seriousness," he added.

Shah, however, welcomed the hand of friendship the prime minister extended to Pakistan during his visit to the valley.

Meanwhile in Delhi, the government said Prime Minister Vajpayee would make a statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on his fresh offer of friendship to Pakistan after the opposition demanded a clarification on the issue.