SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s main political alliance wants to revive peace talks with India to find a solution to the decades-old problem plaguing the disputed Himalayan region, a leading Kashmiri leader said on Sunday.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), said he also hoped to initiate a dialogue simultaneously with Pakistan to push the peace process forward.

‘Hurriyat is very serious and very keen. We want to resume dialogue with New Delhi and we want to initiate a dialogue with Islamabad,’ Mr Farooq, 37, said in an interview at his residence near the banks of Dal Lake.

‘Military means, use of force, oppression has failed. I am hopeful now that India realises a growing urge for solution of the Kashmir issue.’

Mr Farooq’s new call for dialogue reflects public sentiment in favour of further efforts to find a solution to the Kashmir dispute.

APHC started talks with New Delhi in 2004, the first between the two sides since a campaign demanding independence began in 1989. The last round of talks was held in May 2006.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the APHC agreed then to establish a system to discuss solutions to the dispute over Kashmir.

‘I am hopeful that a process will restart and yield results fast if India releases prisoners, gradually withdraws troops and repeals the black laws,’ said Mr Farooq, referring to draconian laws giving security forces expanded powers against activists.

Officials say there are nearly 3,000 political prisoners in Kashmir, where around half a million Indian troops battle Muslim militants.

But violence between militants and troops has declined considerably after India and Pakistan started a peace process in 2004. India called a pause to those talks after last year’s attacks on Mumbai.

APHC split up in 2003 when leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani walked out after moderates decided to hold talks with New Delhi.

‘I suffered because I initiated the talks, Inshallah we will take the Kashmir struggle to its logical conclusion,’ said Mr Farooq, who delivers sermons every Friday to thousands.

He was educated at a Christian missionary school. His uncle was shot dead and the region’s oldest school that he ran was razed after Hurriyat launched talks with New Delhi.

Though under guard, his house has been attacked several times with grenades.

‘We have a very strong case and we should not be scared to talk,’ he said. ‘But we want peace with honour and dignity, not the peace of the graveyard.’ — Reuters