Talks with Hurriyat in July: Patil

Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said the Centre was ready to talk to the Hurriyat Conference next month.

‘‘It could be first or the second week of July depending upon the convenience of the Hurriyat leaders,’’ Patil said, after a day of meetings with the Centre’s interlocuter on Jammu and Kashmir, N.N. Vohra, and the Kashmir Coordination Committee. Probable dates for the third round of talks were discussed at the meetings.

The officials discussed the government’s stance on release of prisoners. The earlier NDA government had the policy of releasing prisoners which has been put on hold by the UPA. Refusing comment on if the government would resume it as a Confidence Building Measure, the Home Minister said: ‘‘Talks are the biggest CBM.’’