NEW DELHI: With the Kashmir unrest triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani showing no signs of abatement, the Centre is mulling over reaching out to separatist leaders.
The rethink has come after the ruling BJP discussed the Valley turmoil at a conclave organised by senior leader Ram Madhav at Patnitop in Jammu. The conclave, though not officially sponsored by the BJP, brought together state ministers and civil society members.
State BJP leader and MLC Ramesh Arora tod Express that the party was ready to hold talks with every stakeholder. “Nobody would be ignored in the talk process. Talks would be held with different sections of society within the framework of the Constitution.” “To improve the situation in Kashmir, we will follow Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policy of insyaniat (humanity). Whatever is possible will be done within the ambit of insaniyat,” he said.
He, however, claimed separatists didn’t enjoy popular support. “They have provoked the youth. We appeal the youth and teenagers to join the mainstream and tell their leaders to hold talks. We are ready to talk to everybody, irrespective of groups.”
Party sources say the outreach — holding dialogues with Pakistan and all stakeholders, including Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Geelani — is in sync with the Agenda of Alliance entered into between the PDP and the BJP. Arora said Pakistan was also involved in the crisis. “It has to be seen whether they are ready to hold talks, whether they will respond. The Indian government has to decide on talks with Pakistan,” he said. The two-day meeting was organised under the aegis of the India Foundation and was attended by around 80 intellectuals, ministers and the son of NSA Ajit Doval, among others.
Bullet-riddled body
The bullet-riddled body of one Bilal Ahmad Malik (23) was found in Pulwama on Sunday. Bilal’s family said he had left home early morning on a bike, which “is still missing”. Meanwhile, on the call of separatists, people launched a sanitation drive to clear garbage from roads.