Discordant notes after the music leave many guessing

For the record, the Hurriyat reserved its reaction to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit for tomorrow when it holds a meeting. B...

For the record, the Hurriyat reserved its reaction to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit for tomorrow when it holds a meeting. But, in private, moderate leaders said they felt let down since there was little by way of a signal for them to re-enter the stalled dialogue process.

Hurriyat leaders and observers pointed to Singh’s remarks at a press conference that struck a few odd notes in a state where how you say something is as important as what you say. Said ally CPM’s leader Yousuf Tarigami: ‘‘It’s his first visit to Kashmir, he needs time.’’

Asked if he had met anyone who represented the separatist view—a reference to the Hurriyat—Singh said: ‘‘There is no separatism…whatever grievances exist, our democratic system has the flexibility (to address).’’

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Hurriyat moderates are already under pressure from the hardline faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, slammed as they were for talking with the Centre. But, responding to a question regarding their demand to allow travel to Pakistan, Singh said: ‘‘This is an age of Internet and telephone and then Pakistan High Commission holds meetings with them regularly…As a principle, I keep an open mind and as a citizen of India, they can meet anybody.’’

‘‘The future of Kashmir is safe in our hearts and minds,’’ Singh later said, adding, ‘‘and our Constitution,’’ even as he kept referring to his promise of ‘‘unconditional dialogue.’’

This was seen by many here as a contrast to the NDA government’s stand of sticking to the unconditionality of the dialogue process. Innocuous as these statements sound, some Kashmiri leaders saw them as negating the concept of talks without pre-conditions.

PDP welcomes economics while others wish there was more politics

		• PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti: He did not promise the moon but committed to an economic package. His statement that Kashmir is an ‘‘integral part of the country,’’ is his compulsion as Prime Minister. His snub to Hurriyat is debatable. • Mohammad Yosuf Taregami, CPM: His speech is a direction that there’s something good for people on its way. He should have avoided some things in his speech. It’s his first visit to Kashmir, he needs time to gain experience. • Abdul Gani Bhat: Wait until tomorrow. • Shabir Ahmad Shah, chairman Democratic Freedom Party: I am disappointed as no fresh political measures were announced. • Omar Abdullah, Rather than an economic package, PM should have announced political packages: measures for detainees, a call to Hurriyat

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