Home asks Hurriyat for talks dates

While the Hurriyat Conference is yet to respond to the Centre8217;s invitation for the third round of talks, the Government today set the ball rolling, calling for a fresh date to continue the dialogue. An official statement issued today said Home Minister Shivraj Patil will hold talks with Hurriyat leaders later this month or early August. This in spite of the Hurriyat8217;s decision to try to reunify all its factions before continuing the peace process.

The statement issued by the Home Ministry said the initiative had been taken to decide on a fresh date for the talks in consultation with the Hurriyat leadership. The statement referred to the Home Minister8217;s announcement of the government8217;s commitment to carry forward the peace process in the state.

It also acknowledged the Hurriyat8217;s apprehensions, given the recent developments in the state. The 8216;8216;tragic murder8217;8217; of Maulvi Mushtaq, uncle of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, the attack on the Hurriyat leader8217;s residence, the burning of a historical Islamic school and renewed threats have understandably caused serious concerns among the Hurriyat Conference, it said.

Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh and IB Director A.K. Doval have met N.N. Vohra to work out modalities for the talks, sources said. The Hurriyat Conference has maintained that talks should be held at the PM8217;s level; the last round of talks were held with then DPM L.K. Advani.