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Various leaders from the political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir met in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the ways and means to bring peace to the violence-hit state.
They met at a conference titled "Search for a balanced Kashmir policy", which was organised by the United Front of the Displaced People of Kashmir.
Once the delegates voiced their grudges, spoke passionately about the common cultural heritage of the Kashmiris, a strong desire to resolve the vexed issue and restore peace in the valley pervaded.
Former Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq stressed the need for the restoration of a dialogue between India, Pakistan and the representatives of the people of J&K.
"What is going to be the solution of the Kashmir dispute is secondary. What is primary is that a process that leads to the solution is started," he said.
Acknowledging that there had been a lull in the efforts to solve the issue, he said that the proposed visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to J&K could set the ball rolling.
"Since the Indian prime minister is visiting Kashmir, he can use it as an opportunity to make a new begining. He should come to the people of Kashmir with something positive and not visit the valley to dictate terms," Farooq added.
He emphasised the need for a reconciliatory approach, adding that the role of the gun was over and a solution could be reached through negotiations.
Another separatist leader, Shabir Shah, said that the only way to save India and Pakistan from destruction was to solve the Kashmir problem. "The way out is a sustained dialogue. The Indian and Pakistani governments should talk," he said.
Kamal Haq, the general secretary of Pannun Kashmir, an organisation of Kashmiri displaced pandits, focussed on the return of the pandits to the valley. "The creation of a Union territory within the Kashmir valley for pandits is the only way they can return," he said.
But Farooq believed that the return of the Kashmiri pandits was part of the larger issue. "One has to be realistic. Till political instability in Kashmir is unresolved, it is not feasible for the pandits to return," he said.
The conference concluded by condemning the communal violence in Gujrat and the terrorist attack near the Raghunath temple in Jammu.
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