Vohra still Govt’s pointman in J-K

Habibullah told The Indian Express from Washington that the Government had not yet sounded him to take over negotiations with J-K separatists and militants, but ‘‘I will come if called’’.

It is likely that Habibullah will take over Dulat’s job, who was in touch with militant groups, particularly Hizbul Mujahideen, and separatist elements outside the Hurriyat umbrella. Habibullah has been in touch with the separatists and even the last NDA Government had informally used his services.

Sources said the decision to retain Vohra was taken by the Government in consultation with J-K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Vohra called on Mufti in the morning and discussed the need to give a thrust to the dialogue process. He had managed to network with the new Government, convincing them that his presence in the dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference will help as he was a familiar figure.

Mufti, who reached the Capital today, also met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, the PM and Home Minister and expressed satisfaction over the way the new Government was pursuing the peace process.

After a meeting with Shivraj Patil, Mufti said he had been assured that the Centre was committed to continue the dialogue with the Hurriyat and Pakistan, to address the external dimension of the Kashmir issue. He said the result ‘‘has to come from a dialogue’’ as it is the only alternative to establish peace in the state.