Moderate All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday expressed willingness to accept Home Minister P Chidambaram’s dialogue offer but sought structured and principled talks. “Both India and Paksitan were very clear on the terms of our engagement with them, which are based on two principles. One, all the parties concerned recognised that Kashmir was a dispute and displayed a willingness to resolve it. Two, the dialogue was a way forward towards the final settlement of the issue, primarily in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of J&K and also taking into account the positions of India and Pakistan on the issue,” said Mirwaiz in a statement issued in reaction to Home Minister’s dialogue offer made from the floor of the Parliament on Friday.

Mirwaiz said in order to build trust and take the process forward and provide the much needed relief to the people, the Hurriyat proposed to the government of India certain necessary steps to be taken with immediate effect.

“Demilitarization and lifting the overwhelming security apparatus form Kashmir, revoking the various special repressive laws including the AFSPA, PSA etc., releasing all political prisoners languishing in various Indian jails were the demands,” said Mirwaiz.

He said, unfortunately, no heed was paid to his demands. “This reflected lack of sincerity and will on part of New Delhi. In turn, discrediting the whole process of engagement,” said Mirwaiz.

Seeking end to persistent violence in Kashmir, the Mirwaiz said “in less than two months around 50 people mostly children and teenagers have been mercilessly killed and the killing spree continues and all forms of repression have been put in place by India. Where is the scope for engagement, when a reign of terror has been let loose by them against a people for demanding their basic right?”