Soon after taking over as the Home Minister, Shivraj Patil indicated that the next round of peace talks with the Hurriyat Conference could be delayed. He also said POTA was not necessary and that a decision on it would be taken in consultation with the Cabinet.About the next dialogue with the Hurriyat — which was scheduled to be held in June — he said that it was bound to take some time.‘‘We have to see when they (the Hurriyat leaders) want to talk. It is a new government. We have to study what has been achieved in the two rounds of dialogue so far, and what remains to be done,’’ said Patil, sporting an ash tilak.However, he made it clear that his government believed in continuing the dialogue. ‘‘It is a useful process,’’ he said, adding that the ongoing talks with the North-East insurgent groups like the NSCN (I-M) will continue.Asked if the new government would enhance the scope of J-K peace process by including other separatist groups like the Hizbul Mujahideen — responsible for yesterday’s landmine blast near Srinagar — Patil said he would examine the situation and discuss it with his ministry officials.About future of N.N. Vohra, Centre’s interlocutor for J-K, appointed by the NDA government, the new Home Minister cautiously said he had been doing a good job in a difficult situation. Refusing to give a direct answer — whether Vohra would continue — Patil said it would have to be examined what he had achieved so far. ‘‘I have worked with him in Ministry of Defence and he is a capable officer,’’ was all the Home Minister said.Accompanied by Home Secretary Anil Baijal, Patil outlined his priorities: ‘‘To develop normal situation in the country, maintenance of law and order, control and elimination of terrorist activities, and modernisation of police forces,’’ he rattled off.Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East, and Left wing extremism required special attention, he said. ‘‘We will try to resolve the issues by talking to them and by persuading them to give up violence,’’ he added.
