PM’s invite for dialogue has nothing for us, says Hurriyat

‘‘There is no issue that cannot be resolved through a process of discussion and dialogue. Our doors are always open for anyone interested in dialogue,’’ he said.

Former chairman of the moderate Hurriyat faction, Maulvi Abbas Ansari said the Centre has nothing to offer. ‘‘Why should we go to Delhi and waste our time? We are not against talks but the Government of India should fix a date for it and then invite us properly,’’ he said.

The Hurriyat and the Government have been struggling to resume talks after a delegation of the conglomerate returned form their trip to Pakistan. The Hurriyat had held two rounds of talks with the previous BJP-led NDA government but the process discontinued after the UPA Government came to power.

Early this year, the moderates refused to talk to the Prime Minister, saying the process could resume only after the Hurriyat is allowed to visit Pakistan. The Centre conceded the demand and a nine-member delegation of separatists boarded the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus on June 2 for a 15-day visit to Pakistan and Muzaffarabad.

The Hurriyat has asked for dates for the talks time and again but the Centre has not responded so far.

Democratic Freedom Party president Shabir Ahmad Shah also expressed disappointment. ‘‘The invitation is vague and it is not clear that who are being addressed. The Prime Minister is talking of solving problems confronting the state, while we want the resolution of one issue and that is the Kashmir,’’ he said.

Shah said Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has declared that Kashmiris are the ‘‘primary party to the Kashmir dispute’’. ‘‘Indian leaders are not showing any flexibility in their stand. They are not serious in dialogue and appear to be buying time,’’ he said.

Hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, however, said his stand had been vindicated. ‘‘Dr Manmohan Singh has superficially touched the Kashmir issue and this has vindicated our stand that New Delhi is not serious on resolving the Kashmir dispute. He has referred to the problems confronting Kashmir, which apparently mean unemployment and other issues and we want a permanent resolution to the Kashmir issue,’’ he said.

Include separatists: CM

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s offer to hold dialogue in the state should include separatists. “Our Prime minister has said he is ready to hold unconditional talks with people of Jammu and Kashmir. That includes dialogue with the separatists also,” he said.