NC asks separatists to join proposed talks with Centre

Appealing to separatists to participate in the proposed talks with the Centre, the ruling National Conference on Thursday said there was no other way than dialogue to resolve all issues facing Jammu and Kashmir.

Appealing to separatists to participate in the proposed talks with the Centre, the ruling National Conference on Thursday said there was no other way than dialogue to resolve all issues facing Jammu and Kashmir.

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"People of Kashmir bore the brunt of turmoil during the past 60 years and dialogue is the key to relieve them of the miseries and difficulties," party General Secretary Sheikh Nazir Ahmad told workers at NC headquarters here.

He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah describing Kashmir as a "political issue" has made the atmosphere for talks conducive. "We appeal separatists to participate in the proposed talks with the Centre."

Nazir criticised the separatists for not responding to the offer of talks by the Centre, saying "on one hand, separatists are demanding complete demilitarisation and on the other hand, they are not ready for talks. What is the way out, other than talks, to resolve the problem?" he asked.

He said NC always advocated for talks and wanted a honourable solution to the Kashmir issue. "The issue has been alive all these years one way or the other and the unfortunate part has been that Kashmiri leadership has failed to chalk out a common agenda," Nazir said.