NEWSLINKS US EDITION COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar
The Awami National Conference Saturday announced that will talk to Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K C Pant, who is the Centre's representative on the Jammu and Kashmir peace talks issue, only in the summer capital Srinagar.
"If the government sincerely wants to talk to Kashmiris, Pant, instead of sitting in New Delhi, should visit the state for holding talks," Ghulam Mohammad Shah, former state chief minister and ANC president told a news conference in Srinagar after a working committee meeting of his party.
"I will not go to Delhi to talk to Pant. I have been bitten several times by people in Delhi. I will exchange my views with Pant only in Srinagar," Shah said.
"The ANC will have no objection or feel no hurdle to exchange its views with Pant to solve Kashmir issue peacefully, equitably, honourably, democratically and permanently."
The ANC, in a statement, however, said, "Talks initiated for restoration of peace alone seem, knowingly or unknowingly, an attempt to sabotage these talks at the very first step. Every humanist heart and a conscientious Kashmiri are in search of peace. Peace for peace is meaningless unless the issue is not addressed to be solved on permanent basis." Shah told newsmen.
Despite his oft-repeated appeals for a tripartite dialogue on Kashmir, Shah's ANC is chiefly seen as a pro-India party.
However during Saturday's press briefing, the former chief minister declared, "I am neither pro-India nor pro-Pakistani. I am for the complete independence of Jammu and Kashmir."
"The ANC would also like to call upon the majority community of the state that, before giving any popular verdict, they shall have to guarantee to the minorities of the state that they will have equal democratic, fundamental and human rights."
The Complete Coverage: The Ceasefire in Jammu & Kashmir
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
