Jammu, Sep 2:  Former interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday faced protests and boycott by the activists of various organizations ahead of their `Roundtable Meeting’ here to discuss the recommendations made by them.
 The former Interlocutors turned resource persons had to face the ire of Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Sangrash Samiti Kranti Dal and Panun Kashmir activists at the entrance of the conference venue. Eyewitnesses said that the BJYM activists even tried to manhandle Dilip Padgaonkar forcing him and his colleague Radha Kumar to return from the venue.
 They returned to the venue after protesters dispersed off. The scheduled RTC commenced bit late.  
 Former interlocutors, according the sources, told the participants that they would recommend certain amendments and deletions to be made in their report submitted to the Union Home Ministry.
 During the conference, various issues like handing back hydel-projects to the state, human rights violations, giving due share to Gujjars and Bakerwals, ST status to Paharis besides others were raised by the participants.
 The duo maintained that they have given ample consideration to the grievances and issues of the Jammu region in their original report which they have submitted to the union Home Ministry.
 Besides other issues, the participants also advocated for one time settlement of refugees, resolving the issue of West Pak refugees, introduction of Dogri at primary level and treating the lakes of Jammu region at par with Kashmir region.
 The cultural issues and the problems confronting businessmen in cross LoC trade were also put forward by the participants. The participants said that they are facing problems in cross LoC trade as their payments are pending and they are not getting worthy goods in exchange of goods.
 The demands like setting up of cultural department and media centre in the Jammu University were also put forward by the participants.
 The issues like equal rights to the Skardu, Gilgit people, ownership rights to the EP tenants, giving due consideration to Mubarak Mandi complex were also discussed.
 Commenting over the feedback former chief Interlocutor, Dilip Padgaonkar said, “The participation is healthy and we have got some extremely important and professional inputs. I think we have some highly productive stay in Jammu and got some extremely important inputs which we didn’t get in our earlier stay”.
 “We will convey these to the Union Home Ministry”. He however, didn’t comment over the issues being raised and discussed during the conference saying, “The conference was closed door and a confidential one.”

Lastupdate on : Sun, 2 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 2 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 3 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST