Kashmiri leaders from both sides meet today

The first-ever meeting of Kashmiri leaders from both sides of the Line of Control will be held in Kathmandu on Monday even as hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has decided to stay away from it.

The meeting, which would be held as part of the intra-Kashmiri committee formed during the conference, assumes significance as this is the first time the leaders from the two sides of Kashmir would be meeting at an international forum to discuss the issue. 8216;8216;There is no other alternative left other than allowing us to meet and deliberate upon the possible solution to the Kashmir issue,8217;8217; Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Bhat said during the conference which is being organised by US-based thinktank Pugwash.

During the meeting, the Hurriyat Conference team comprising Bhat and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq would present their stand on solving the Kashmir issue through peaceful dialogue and would seek cooperation from the PoK leaders for taking a cohesive stand on the issue. Geelani has, meanwhile, preferred to stay away from the three-day meet being held here. 8212; PTI