NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani said on Tuesday he hoped an alliance of Kashmiri separatist groups would be constructive and realistic in talks aimed at ending a revolt against Indian rule in the region.
The government offered last month to hold its first talks with the alliance of political and community groups since the insurgency in the disputed Muslim-majority region began in 1989.
“The government has always been open to the resolution of all conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means,” said Advani, who will lead the government side in the proposed talks with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC).
“It is in this spirit that I have agreed to meet the Hurriyat leaders,” he told a conference of police chiefs.
More than a dozen separatist Muslim guerrilla groups are battling security forces in the held Kashmir. The Hurriyat is made up of non-violent groups although authorities say some of its members are linked with the rebels.
The Hurriyat seeks a plebiscite to determine whether Kashmiris want to stay with India, join Pakistan or gain independence from both. It is expected to respond to the government proposal for talks this week.
“I hope that they bring to these talks a sincere, constructive and realistic approach, consistent with the intense desire of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to see an end to the era of violence,” Advani said.
The Hurriyat alliance of more than two dozen groups split in September with a hardline faction backed by militants opposing any talks with the government that did not include Pakistan.
The government has set no agenda for talks while the Hurriyat has previously said any negotiations must be unconditional.
Analysts say the government may be willing to offer more autonomy to Kashmir, an idea that has found little favour with the Hurriyat in the past.—Reuters
