Front Page   

Centre to act soon on J&K talks: Mufti

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi Jan. 25. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, appears to have got an assurance from the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, that the Centre would soon start working on its promise of a dialogue "with the elected representatives and others" in the troubled State.

After a 40-minute meeting with Mr. Vajpayee, the Chief Minister told reporters that the modalities of the dialogue would be worked out sooner than later, as both sides understood the urgency for talks.

"The response of the Prime Minister was very positive towards holding of talks and we should remember that the people of the State chose the ballot and not the bullet to solve their problems,'' he told reporters outside the Prime Minister's residence.

They met with their respective officials, but the political discussions took place after the officials left.

Sources said the Prime Minister appreciated that there was a "new situation" after the recent Assembly elections and that it was imperative that the new mood be capitalised upon.

The Mufti is understood to have apprised Mr. Vajpayee of the problem of political prisoners.

It is believed that there is a convergence between the Centre and the State Government over the desirability of releasing those who are not involved in terrorist activities.

The joint Centre-State panel to screen potential prisoners is to meet later this month.

Apart from getting the Prime Minister's blessings for a hefty economic "package" for Jammu and Kashmir, the Mufti also seems to have impressed upon Mr. Vajpayee that a dialogue with "the others" (the secessionist elements and groups) is not without its political and emotional uses.

He argued with all his interlocutors, within and outside the Vajpayee Government, that extreme postures or rigid stands would not help address the larger issue of reconciliation in the Kashmir valley.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Build upon democratic heritage: Kalam
• Higher tariff for land phones mooted
• Centre to act soon on J&K talks: Mufti
• Dorji, Sonal Mansingh, Parasaran among Padma awardees
• Ashok Chakra awarded
• Fire on train
• Jumbo Ministry

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu