Create conditions for proper talks, says separatist leader

A senior separatist leader stated that Kashmiri separatists were 'not shying away from dialogue with centre but wanted conditions to be created for meaningful talks'.

Addressing a media conference, Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah said that 'conducive condition were to be created for a purposeful dialogue for the resolution of the Kashmir issue'.

He said 'withdrawal of troops, draconian laws, release of political detenues and penalising those involved in rights violations were critical conditions to be met to make the atmosphere conducive for the dialogue process'.

Shah also made it clear the 'separatists were never against the dialogue process, but wanted it to be purposeful'.On the central interlocutors who arrived in Srinagar for another visit to the Valley, Shah said 'government should listen to what they have said on the Kashmir issue'.

"While the head of panel, Dileep Padgaonkar described Kashmir as a dispute, the other member Radha Kumar says that the sentiment of freedom was deep in the Valley. The third interlocutor, M.M.Ansari says that New Delhi is serious about the issue," Shah said.

Shah suggested that 'in light of the views expressed by the interlocutors on the issue, New Delhi should hold a referendum to know peoples views'.

The interlocutors are scheduled to meet the opposition Peoples Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti on dinner at her residence on Wednesday evening.