Not much to write home about on this Valley visit

The lone suicide attacker who was also killed was not a Pak militant—as has been the norm—but a local youngster, Ishtiyaq Ahmad Matt from Chattabal in Srinagar.

Even Vajpayee’s meetings today, from his guest room in Raj Bhavan, were very low key. He met the Chamber of Commerce, Peoples Democratic Front, an amalgam of independent legislators which is a minor coalition partner in the Mufti government, All India Freedom Fighters’ Association, Pahari Welfare Forum, Houseboat Owners Association, Gujjar and Bakerwal Union and Kashmir Hotels’ Association.

These talks, as expected, revolved around getting more aid from the Centre and a few economic concessions.

Outside, the city and rural Kashmir were shut as mostly indiffernt and tired people listened to the protest call by separatists who are increasingly stiffening their stance and complaining that ‘‘there seems nothing other than N N Vohra in the Centre’s kitty of Kashmir policy.’’

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, blamed Pakistan today for the recent terror attacks, including the Mumbai blasts saying that these ‘‘affect the peace process adversely.’’

On the Hurriyat, though, he appeared to soften his stand although he made it clear that New Delhi would like the conglomerate to talk to Vohra.

However, addressing a press conference after the Inter-State Council meeting, he said that both the Prime Minister and he were willing to talk to the Hurriyat leaders if they came to Delhi.

‘‘We have an open mind on Hurriyat,’’ he said. ‘‘They have been saying they want to meet the PM and the DPM. Let them come to Delhi. We are ready to meet them. Official talks can take place.’’ Saying that there had been no talks with the Hurriyat so far, he added that the government would like the Hurriyat to talk to Vohra.

Responding to a question on a possible ceasefire—like during the Ramzan in 2000—Advani said that there was no such proposal. He said, even the PM had made it very clear that the government was willing to talk to all groups, including militants, who had laid down their arms and were interested in peace.