Srinagar, Sep 8: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference President, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Saturday said that Government of India would not beg before separatists for talks and instead the pro-freedom groups should take an initiative to engage New Delhi.
The statement by Abdullah came at a time when separatists are demanding inclusion of Kashmiris in the Indo-Pak dialogue process for resolution of Kashmir. The Foreign Minister level talks between India and Pakistan began today in Islamabad.
“It is a welcome development that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that Hurriyat was ready for talks,” Abdullah told media persons after paying homage to his father and National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 30th death anniversary at his grave in Naseembagh here.
“If you (separatists) want to talk, let me tell you that you will have to take an initiative yourself in this direction,” Abdullah said. “Nobody will come from there (India) to beg before you.”
Addressing Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here, Mirwaiz had said Hurriyat was ready for talks with Government of India provided it brings flexibility in its stand in Kashmir. “India should implement the Hurriyat proposal of demilitarizing Jammu and Kashmir, release prisoners, withdraw black laws and end human rights violations to make the atmosphere conducive for result oriented talks,” Mirwaiz had said.
Leading a protest march at Maisuma here on Friday, JKLF chairman Yasin Malik had demanded that Kashmiris should be made a principal party for resolution of Kashmir.
“We are not against talks but Kashmiris should be actively engaged in the dialogue process,” he had said.
To a question whether the Foreign Minister level talks between India and Pakistan would have an outcome vis-à-vis Kashmir, Abdullah said Kashmir is a very long drawn problem. “It will take many years to solve Kashmir,” he said. “Nothing is going to happen soon,” he said. “But let’s make it very clear that we are part of India and that is not going to change.”
However, he hoped the two countries would initiate confidence building measures, hassle-free trade and travel between divided parts of Kashmir across LoC, liberalization of visa regime and banking facility for trade.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived later alone at the venue to pay tributes to his grandfather.
Senior National Conference leaders including Ali Muhammad Sagar, Abdul Rahim Rather, Mian Altaf, Mustafa Kamal and others were also present. The occasion witnessed thin presence of NC supporters and workers.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 8 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 9 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST