Walk talk in month: Mirwaiz tells Centre

The Centre’s action in the next one month would determine its sincerity on Kashmir, said today Mirwiaz Umer Farooq, a member of the Hur...

The Centre’s action in the next one month would determine its sincerity on Kashmir, said today Mirwiaz Umer Farooq, a member of the Hurriyat team which has held talks with Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and his deputy L.K. Advani.

‘‘Hardliners are already out on streets in Kashmir labelling us traitors, and now it’s up to Indian leadership to prove through actions that our talks were primarily aimed at changing the war-like situation in Kashmir,’’ said Mirwiaz, the youngest of the five-member Hurriyat team.

Hardline Jamat-e-islami leader Sayed Ali Shah Geelani is against the talks. ‘‘They (hardliners) are already gunning for us, alleging we had entered into a bargain with New Delhi,’’ said Mirwiaz. ‘We expect unilateral moves by New Delhi that would change the ground situation and give major relief to common people before March (the next round of proposed talks).’’

The Hurriyat leaders want the Centre to repeal laws that give sweeping powers to security forces. ‘‘It’s a test case for Delhi—they can act now or else strengthen the hands of hardliners,’’ said Mirwiaz.

‘‘We told them (Vajpayee and Advani) that life for Kashmiris was miserable. In border areas, people are living under the rule of security forces.’’ Mirwiaz said Vajpayee and Advani saw no problem in releasing political prisoners but there was no clear assurance on repealing anti-terrorist laws.