Date:24/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/24/stories/2003042403091200.htm

National

PDF demands ceasefire in J&K

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR APRIL 23. The Centre's point man on Kashmir, N. N. Vohra, today continued talks with talking with various mainstream political parties but there was no indication of any breakthrough on the separatist front. The People's Democratic Forum, an ally of the ruling coalition in the State, reiterated its demand for a ceasefire.

On the third day of his visit, Mr. Vohra met a delegation of the former Chief Minister, Ghulam Mohammad Shah's Awami National Conference. Mr. Shah, however, was not part of the team. "It was made clear to Mr. Vohra that the Kashmir dispute was a burning issue and needed to be resolved without any further delay," an ANC spokesman said later adding that Mr. Vohra was in agreement with fundamental issues. "The team also raised the proposal for a Inter-Kashmir Conference that would include representatives from Jammu and Kashmir, (Azad) Kashmir and Kashmiris from other parts of India and the world."

Over the next few days, Mr. Vohra will meet leaders of the Congress, the ruling People's Democratic Party and other parties. A group of the PDF, comprising Independent MLAs, also met Mr. Vohra. "We are meeting him again on April 26," said Hakim Mohammad Yasin, Revenue Minister and PDF leader. Pointing out that the talks should be held with all sections of society including the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, he said, "this mission should not meet the fate of the earlier K. C. Pant initiative".

The Hurriyat executive is meeting here tomorrow to discuss the recent visit of the Prime Minister, Atal Beahri Vajpayee, and Mr. Vohra's visit.