NEWSLINKS US EDITION COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
The visiting central interlocutor K C Pant will meet prominent Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah on Tuesday morning.
"Yes I am meeting him," Pant, who arrived in Srinagar Monday afternoon told a crowded press conference. Pant said that Shah had sought certain clarifications and "I have sent him a reply. He seems to be satisfied with it."
He said he had invited the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and added, "It is for them to respond. Our effort should be to move forward."
"All shades of opinion are welcome to join the dialogue process. I am prepared to listen to all of them. I will try to build confidence and create a climate of trust."
The central interlocutor described Kashmir issue as "complex and complicated" and added that "it was necessary to move towards a political settlement of the problem."
Replying questions on the withdrawal of the unilateral ceasefire, he said, "Everyone was saying that the ceasefire was not effective. The merchants of violence continued to cross the border and innocents were killed. Despite the violence the ceasefire was extended thrice."
Pant's main thrust during the briefing was 'restoration of peace', which he said was "necessary for development."
"My main thrust will be to try to understand the hopes and aspirations of the people. To try to understand their problems, difficulties and together make progress to write a new chapter and move towards restoration of peace."
He said that contacts were established at various levels with various groups in Jammu and Kashmir, in Delhi and other places. "What emerged from these contacts was that there should be a political dialogue. Therefore the prime minister has initiated the dialogue. And I have come to Srinagar to continue this task. I am prepared to sincerely and honestly involve all those desirous of coming forward."
Immediately after his arrival, Pant met Governor G C Saxena. He later met representatives of trade and industry. In the evening, he will hold high-level discussions with state government officials to discuss development issues.
Pant will also visit Leh and Kargil before his three-day visit to Jammu. He could not meet the Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, since he was indisposed.
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
