Hurriyat seeks ceasefire in J&K

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, poised to open a dialogue with Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on the Kashmir dispute, has sought a complete cessation of Indian security operations in the Valley.

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The APHC faction led by Maulana Abbas Ansari believes such a 'ceasefire' would prove Delhi's sincerity in seeking a resolution to the Kashmir problem.

"We welcome the ceasefire between India and Pakistan along the borders and see it as a major step towards restoration of peace. But the need is to extend the ceasefire to within the state," Ansari said.

He was addressing a seminar organised at the Hurriyat headquarters in Srinagar to mark the World Human Rights Day.

Ansari urged the international community to ensure that India abides by international human rights standards and puts an end to the "state-sponsored terrorism" in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Hurriyat chairman called for a composite, result-oriented dialogue for the resolution of Kashmir.

"Violence begets violence and is destructive in any case. The issues, whatever the nature be, have to be resolved through dialogue process," he said.