01 March 2004	Monday	09 Muharram 1425

PAHALGAM, Feb 29: Held Kashmir's puppet chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed appealed on Sunday for peace talks to be given a chance. "Talks have begun between India and Pakistan, and the centre and the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

These chances do not come again and history will not repeat itself," Mr Sayeed told a public meeting in Pahalgam, southeast of Srinagar.

"The government wants peace with dignity in the state and not the peace of the graveyard." The appeal came after more than 20 people were injured on Sunday when police in held Kashmir used tear gas and batons to break up two Muslim processions and detained over 100 people, police and witnesses said. The processions in Srinagar came two days ahead of Ashura.

While appealing for calm, Mr Sayeed also promised to check human rights violations in the held Kashmir by Indian troops. "It's unfortunate some excess have taken place despite clear instructions. We will ensure human rights violations are stopped altogether," the chief minister said. -APP