Interlocutors should refrain from ball-by-ball commentary: PC

He said the interlocutors have,to some extent,changed the discourse in the state.

Centre’s three interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir have been able to change the ‘discourse’ in the state,Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said but asked them to refrain from giving a ‘ball-by-ball commentary’ about the progress made in their dialogue.

Presenting his ministry’s report for October,Chidambaram told reporters that after the recent visit of the All Party Delegation to the state,”there is a sense of expectation that the political problem of Jammu and Kashmir will be addressed in all seriousness.”

He said the interlocutors have,to some extent,changed the discourse in the state and “I sincerely hope that the people in the state will give peace a chance and give dialogue a chance.”

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However,there was a quick word of caution from the Home Minister when he was asked about the claims made by one of the interlocutors about submission of a peace plan by a terrorist.

“I think media should not ask and interlocutors should not give a ball-by-ball commentary about their dialogue. This is interlocution. This is not a cricket match,” he said.

When it was noted that the statement was made by one of the interlocutors during a TV show,he said “that is because you ask questions.”

On criticism from BJP of remarks made by interlocutors,he said if the party wants the dialogue process to succeed,it “should show restraint and not make these completely baseless allegations. They should give the dialogue process a chance to succeed.”

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Noting that the situation in the Valley was gradually getting back to normal,Chidambaram,who returned from the state last evening,however,added that it is ‘too early’ to say that everything is normal there.

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