NEW DELHI: Amidst the ongoing tension in the Kashmir Valley, the Centre on Friday categorically told the Supreme Court that it won’t hold any talks with separatist leaders but only with recognised political stakeholders.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the Bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar that, “We (government) will talk only to recognised stakeholders and not with the separatist leaders.”
Rohatgi also referred to the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during which the two leaders decided that peace talks could only be held in a peaceful atmosphere.
The Valley has been on the boil since July 2016 with several people dying and hundreds of others injured after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was gunned down by security forces. Violence again reared its head in April during the by-elections in Srinagar.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association challenging the HC’s verdict rejecting its demand to ban the use of pellet guns against protestors.
The apex court asked the Bar Association, Srinagar, to come up with suggestions to resolve the crisis, including stone-pelting and violent street protests in the Valley, and bring all stakeholders to the table to find a solution to the problem.
“If you throw stones, close schools, then how will talks happen?” the Bench asked the bar association and urged it to come out with suggestions for holding talks.
During the hearing, the Bench assured the petitioners that it would direct the Centre to hold talks only if there was a first step from the people and said it could ask the CRPF and the State police not to use pellet guns for two weeks, if it was assured that there would be no stone-throwing protests.
The court indicated that it could set the stage for talks between stakeholders from Kashmir and the Centre but there should be a reciprocal assurance from the other side as well.
The AG also raised an objection to the affidavit filed by the bar association which gave a political colour to the case by stating names of separatist leaders who were under house arrest.
The next hearing in the case is on May 9.