Advani asks militants to join process

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 24: Union Home Minister L K Advani today hinted at the possibility of talks with militant organisations like the Hizbu...

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 24: Union Home Minister L K Advani today hinted at the possibility of talks with militant organisations like the Hizbul Mujahideen and did not rule out a dialogue with Pakistan after an 8220;assessment8221; of its behaviour during the extended ceasefire peace initiative in Kashmir.

8220;That possibility is there,8221; he said when asked about the chances of the Centre starting a dialogue with militant groups in the state. He said the situation would be reviewed after Republic Day when the extension is set to end.

8220;I would like to emphasise that dialogue with our people in J and K would naturally have to include all sections like the ruling National Conference, the main Opposition Congress, BJP, leftists and representatives from Jammu and Ladakh,8221; he added.

8220;And if militant organisations like the Hizbul Mujahideen are prepared to lay down arms and become part of the dialogue, they are also welcome,8221; the home minister said.

Quite significantly, he added 8220;the Hurriyat Conference must realise this. They have been issuing statements as if they are the sole representative of the people of J and K.8221;

He maintained that resumption of the stalled dialogue with Pakistan depended on Islamabad stopping the support and assistance it has been giving to cross-border terrorism in India. Asked whether this ruled out talks with Pakistan in the immediate future, he said 8220;we don8217;t say that8221;.

8220;Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has already stated that the Ministry of External Affairs will explore the possibility of resumption of talks,8221; he said.

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Asserting that Islamabad has been feeling the 8220;pinch8221; of isolation, the home minister said 8220;if it earnestly desires peace there should be evidence of it8221;.

He made light of the Pakistani announcement of troop withdrawal from the Line of Control, saying the Government was more concerned about Islamabad8217;s involvement in cross-border terrorism.

Advani said from the point of view of security in J and K, the months immediately following the Kargil conflict witnessed militants stepping up killings and this aggravation of the situation in the state spilled over to the beginning of this year.

The security forces struck back with intensity and by September this year they had an 8220;unprecedented dominant position8221; in the state. 8220;Never before had the militants suffered such attrition as they suffered this year.8221;