Hurriyat warms up to New Delhi’s offer to militants

Earlier, the Hurriyat had called the Hizbul ceasefire offer “hasty and one-sided.” However, after Hizbul’s chief in Pakistan Syed Salahuddin assertion that Hurriyat would do the taking with New Delhi and the Government said that it was “inviting all militant groups and political leaders,” the Hurriyat quickly welcomed the offer.

What are the bottlenecks? Said Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone: “One, a lot of ground work has to be done. The army is still saying it will show clemency to only the Hizb cadres and not other oufits. How will they do that? That’s why we had issued a word of cautiopn to our boys after Hibz decision who had taken the Jehad Council into confidence.”

Are you now hopeful of a breathough? “At the moment we are not verypositive. The onus is on the Government of India. It remains to be seen howserious the Indian Government is.”

The much-awaited response was circulated after serious deliberation at theHurriyat headquarters here. The developments that have started takingshape in the world and the subcontinent due to the Kashmir problem can gaurantee a peaceful and prosperous future, the release said.

“The Hurriyat believes that only a durable and just solution can usheran era of peace and development, which calls for a meaningful andcomprehensive political initiative. The Hurriyat represents the people and and it was working for the accomplishment of their political aspirations,” the release said.