Srinagar, Oct 23: Immediately after landing here, the team of interlocutors on Saturday started the dialogue process by holding parleys with politicians, members of civil society and reaching out to people in jails.
The team first met mainstream leader from opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Muzaffar Hussain Baig at his Kralsangri residence here.
The 3 interlocutors arrived at Baig’s residence at around 4 pm and held deliberations for more than one and half hours.
“I talked to them on behalf of my party, PDP. They elaborated that the team has a full mandate from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi to meet everyone whom they wish to and held talks,” said Baig who is the former deputy chief minister.
 However Baig insisted that the team members described the Kashmir as a dispute. They used the word Kashmir dispute and not problem or issue, and said there was no deadline to discuss all aspects of Kashmir,” Baig said.
 The senior PDP leader said he told them Pakistan was a party to Kashmir. “Those living in Pakistan administered Kashmir, northern part of Pakistan, and all the three regions—Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh--of the state were party to it,” Baig said, adding he also explained the party’s Self Rule document to the interlocutors.
 The interlocutors, Baig said would again meet the PDP leaders prior to leaving for Jammu.
 Later the team visited the central Jail here. “We met some youth who have been detained on the charges of stone pelting. We also met some political prisoners,” said team member, Radha Kumar, adding they spent some time in the jail.
 The team then drove to the house of noted academician Agha Ashraf Ali. They also paid a visit to Hazratbal Shrine in the evening.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST