Separatists sceptical of new govt’s talks promise

“In 2010, we said that we are not against dialogue, but they should fulfill our demands. These include accepting Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory and the withdrawal of armed forces,” Geelani told The Indian Express. He added: “So far, there have been 150 dialogues between India and Pakistan and between the Indian government and pro-freedom leaders, but there has been no outcome”.

Separatist leader Shabir Shah said that they cannot sit with any regional party for a dialogue.

“These parties have harmed the freedom movement. Time would decide what the coalition government will facilitate.” he said, adding, “We don’t trust these parties”.

Spokesperson of the moderate Hurriyat faction Shahid Ul Islam said there are already bigger players at international level who are facilitating talks between India and Pakistan.

“They (PDP and BJP) should concentrate on development and governance, because they have got votes for these issues,” he said. “From Day One, we have been saying that the BJP should work on Vajpayee’s lines. Dialogue is the only way forward and Hurriyat Conference has never shied away from it”.

JKLF Chairman Yaseen Malik said keeping in view the present stand of PDP, there will be no dialogue. “They have been quoting Atal Ji’s “Insaniyat Key Dayere mein” all the time, but they should read Advani’s book who was then home minister,” he said.