Malik’s proposal to PM: talk to militant leaders

On the proposal of declaring ceasefire in the Valley, the Centre’s interlocutors were categorical that the level of violence and infiltration would have to diminish substantially before any changes in counter-insurgency operations could be considered.

Malik, however, did not repeat his proposal for setting up of a constituent assembly for elected Kashmiris to negotiate settlement with both India and Pakistan.

Speaking to mediapersons after his meeting with the PM, Malik said that the Kashmir dialogue ‘‘must involve Kashmiri people’’. He also said that the dialogue should be patterned on the Naga peace process. He underlined the fact that the Centre was holding talks with the NSCN(I-M) in a third country, while neither any Naga civilian nor an Indian soldier, nor any rebel had lost his life.

The PM, according to a PMO spokesman, told Malik that the ‘‘Centre has an open mind on the issue and wants to involve as large sections of people as possible’’ in the dialogue. ‘‘We seek permanent, genuine reconciliation in the state,’’ he affirmed. He said, ‘‘There is an air of optimism in Jammu and Kashmir—we have an opportunity to bring lasting peace to the state.’’