Mirwaiz rejects Centre's Kashmir initiative

The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference today rejected Centre's latest initiative on Kashmir, saying it was 'disappointing' as it reflected lack of willingness to meet the aspirations of the people.

The amalgam led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq also said the Centre's move was an attempt to provide relief to the embattled Omar Abdullah government.

Despite an all-party delegation assessing seriousness of the situation during its recent visit to Kashmir, the 8-point formula 'reflects a lack of willingness to understand and address the basic issue. This is disappointing,' a spokesman for the amalgam said.

The hardline faction of the Hurriyat, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has already rejected the package as a 'mere eye-wash.'

The amalgam has time and again made it clear that 'only resolution of the Kashmir issue and not any political or economic concessions can bring lasting peace and stability in Kashmir,' the spokesman said.

"It (the package) again shows New Delhi's reluctance to address political aspirations of people of the state for which they have been agitating for the past six decades," he said.

Mirwaiz again spoke on the need to involve Pakistan in reaching an acceptable solution to the Kashmir imbroglio.

"We have given certain suggestions to the government for initiation of a meaningful process of engagement among concerned parties -- the people of Kashmir, India and Pakistan -- for resolution of the Kashmir issue," the spokesman said.

"The suggestions are imperative to provide relief to the people on the ground and build an atmosphere of trust. But, to our dismay there has been no progress on that account," he said.

The Mirwaiz felt that the Kashmir package was aimed at deflecting focus from the 'actual' issue.

"The measures announced (by the Centre) do not convey much promise. These are administrative in nature to provide relief to the beleaguered state government," the spokesman said.

The moderate Hurriyat framed its response after Mirwaiz, who is under house arrest, held a tele-conference with executive members of the amalgam.

The Union government unveiled a package of measures on Saturday to de-escalate the situation in Valley.