Conflict

Claims of ‘integral part’ or ‘Azadi’ shouldn’t act as stumbling blocks in dialogue process: Former Interlocutor

Srinagar: Former interlocutor Radha Kumar on Wednesday termed the decision of releasing the first time stone pelters ‘encouraging’ for the return of peace in the restive Kashmir Valley. She however underlined that there is no need of setting any pre-conditions to hold dialogue with the separatist groups.

Radha Kumar told KNS that when she along with the two others including Dilip Padgaonkar and MM Ansari were deputed to Kashmir as Centre’s interlocutors after 2010 uprising, the amnesty at that time too was given to the first time stone pelters and also some political prisoners were released too.

“To everybody including us, there is nothing new in freeing stone pelters. It will help in bringing the normalcy back but other measures too are needed that could ensure everlasting peace in Valley,” Radha said.

She added further that there is a need for not setting any pre-conditions for the dialogue as this is the only way forward to achieve long-lasting peace.

“I think people should now simply ignore the years old rhetoric and decide to move ahead. They have to understand that there is no way to achieve the objective other than holding dialogue and strive for peace in Valley that has been witnessing bloodshed and uncertainty since long,” Radha Kumar said.

She added that the claims of ‘integral part or complete Azaadi’ should act as hurdles in holding talks with the separatists.

“If everyone is yearning for peace then these pre-conditions shouldn’t act as the stumbling blocks in the process.”

(With inputs from KNS)

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