Centre mulls bringing in bureaucrats for J-K talks

Top government functionaries in charge of J-K security, today discussed the feasibility of holding a substantive dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference at the bureaucratic level, instead of political leadership. This came in the backdrop of Hurriyat leaders expressing reservations about talking to Home Minister Shivraj Patil, claiming him to be 8216;8216;too junior8217;8217;, and insisting on continuing the talks with the PM.

At a meeting chaired by the Home Minister at North Block 8212; to review the law and order and security in the state 8212; the government decided to seek the views of Hurriyat leaders on the issue. 8216;8216;It was felt that the Hurriyat leaders could meet both the PM and the Home Minister, but for substantive dialogue, a team of J-K experts would take over,8217;8217; said an official. The team could tentatively include National Security Advisor J.N. Dixit, Home Secretary Anil Baijal, Centre8217;s interlocutor on J-K N.N. Vohra and Director Intelligence Bureau K.P. Singh, sources said.

It was also decided to get in touch with the Hurriyat to finalise the dates for the third round of talks. Vohra is likely to visit Srinagar this week for this purpose. Despite the Hurriyat8217;s reluctance, sources said the talks were bound to take place. 8216;8216;The Hurriyat leaders have their compulsions. Also, it is too soon after Mirwaiz Umer Farooq8217;s uncle8217;s death after a terrorist attack. The Hurriyat also has its internal elections in July. Moreover, they still have reservations about Vohra,8217;8217; said the official.