Conflict

For lasting peace in Valley, GoI should hold talks with Hurriyat: Abdullah

Srinagar: Farooq Abdullah, Patron of the National Conference said that for lasting peace in the valley, Government of India should hold talks with the Hurriyat leadership.

Referring to Army chief Bipin Rawat’s comments on engaging with Taliban without any preconditions, Abdullah  on Thursday said if the Army could suggest it, then the Government should also talk with the Hurriyat leaders to solve the Kashmir issue.

Speaking at a discussion on “J&K The Road Ahead”, organised by the Centre for Peace and Progress, Abdullah said the leaders of Hurriyat have Indian passports and in the past, leaders such as former prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee have held dialogue with them.

“The Army and use of force can never be a solution to the Kashmir crisis and lasting peace can be achieved only through dialogue,” he told the gathering which included retired senior army officers and academicians from the city.

However, Rawat, a day after in his annual press conference had said that the ‘Taliban analogy’ can’t be applied in JK, talks in the valley will be on our terms.’

Expressing hope that dialogue on the Kashmir issue could start after the Lok Sabha polls, Abdullah said each election has divided the country instead of uniting it.

“There is mistrust between Delhi and Kashmir and an atmosphere of hate has been created in the country,” he said.

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