Geelani rejects PM's invitation for talks

Geelani-led faction of Hurriyat Conference has rejected the invitation for Feb 24 round table conference on the Kashmir issue.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led faction of Hurriyat Conference has rejected the invitation for next week's round table conference on the Kashmir issue.

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A Hurriyat spokesman said Geelani was contacted on Thursday evening by a Union Home Ministry official for the February 24 conference, called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, but the invitation was declined.

Geelani told the official that the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and talks between the Centre and some Kashmiri leaders have not brought about any change in the ground situation.

"This makes us believe that such exercises are fruitless. We are not participating in this exercise," he said, according to the spokesman.

Geelani said New Delhi is "yet to exhibit any flexibility over Kashmir, especially by not revoking the 1995 resolution passed by Parliament stating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India."