Peace talks have done nothing for Kashmir: Geelani

Amid widespread backing in Jammu and Kashmir for continuation of the dialogue between India and Pakistan, separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Thursday said the suspension of the talks would make no difference to the state.

Geelani claimed since there was no change in the ground situation even after the initiation of a comprehensive dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad, its suspension would make no difference.

Geelani said he visited Arin-Bandipora on Wednesday where the residents alleged their houses were set on fire this week by troops despite protests that there were no militants hiding there.

Neither bodies of militants nor weapons were found from the debris of the houses, Geelani claimed.

On July 17, a defence spokesman had said two militants were killed in a night-long gun battle at Arin-Bandipora.