Hurriyat says include us in Valley peace process

The Hurriyat Conference has reiterated its demand for inclusion in any negotiations aimed at finding a permanent settlement of the Kashmir i...

The Hurriyat Conference has reiterated its demand for inclusion in any negotiations aimed at finding a permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue. After a day-long meeting, attended by its general council and executive council constituents this evening, the Hurriyat condemned terrorism and pointed out that the Kashmir movement was just and legitimate.

‘‘Our demand is that the Hurriyat Conference be included in the peace process,’’ said chairman Professor Abdul Gani Bhat. He declined to comment further, saying he would talk about the Hurriyat’s future strategy at a press conference on Wednesday.

‘‘Today’s meeting condemned terrorism and also impressed upon the world community to condemn the state terrorism in Kashmir,’’ added a Hurriyat spokesman. Stating that the world community had ‘‘accepted’’ the legitimacy of the Kashmiri struggle, he stressed the need for a peaceful resolution taking into consideration the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state.

Story continues below this ad

Demanding ‘‘trilateral’’ talks on Kashmir, the spokesman said all those present at the meeting unanimously agreed to abide by the Hurriyat Constitution.

Besides the ensuing polls, the meeting was convened to discuss detention of several senior separatist leaders and the situation in the state, said Hurriyat sources.

The Hurriyat Conference is an amalgam of 23 groups. Since it is the seven-member executive council which normally takes the important policy decisions, the general council and working committee members were meeting after a year’s gap.