Talks hit: NC pulls out of working groups, RTCs

Dealing a severe blow to the meetings of the Working Groups WGs and Round Table Conferences RTCs, and in an indication of its increasing bitterness with the Centre, the National Conference today announced that, henceforth, it would not take part in the meetings.

NC chief Omar Abdullah told The Indian Express over phone from Srinagar that in view of the 8220;failure of the Centre in ensuring zero tolerance to human rights abuses in the state, our party will not take part in RTCs and WG meetings8221;. The decision of the NC, which is the single largest party in the Assembly despite being in the Opposition, is being seen as a setback for the Centre8217;s efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue.

The NC had constituted committees for all the five working groups to present its views in the meetings. 8220;In spite of promises by the Prime Minister, human rights abuses in Kashmir have increased8230; In such a situation, there is no meaning of attending such meetings,8217;8217; said Abdullah.

On whether the party would change its decision if some assurance was given by the Centre, Abdullah said: 8220;We are not saying we want the meetings to be boycotted, but we have suspended our participation8230; The NC C wants actual changes on the ground, which are not visible at the moment.8221;