Respond to PM’s peace efforts: PDP

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday urged the Hurriyat to respond to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fresh peace overtures, saying “maximalist and rejectionist approach will be of no help to the institution of dialogue”.

“The Hurriyat’s response to Ramzan ceasefire, which Mr. Modi went ahead with despite opposition within the party and the security establishment, and the backing of the dialogue process through special representative has been unfortunate and negative. Maximalist and rejectionist approach is no contributing factor to the institution of dialogue,” PDP Minister and J&K government spokesman Naeem Akhtar told The Hindu.

Mr. Akhtar praised Mr. Modi for his “statesmanly steps and support to Kashmir-centric initiatives” pushed by the J&K government.

“We are ready to consider the Hurriyat’s demands on the confidence building measures (CBMs) provided they (the Hurriyat) contribute to the dialogue process first,” he added.

Ready to consider demands

The J&K government spokesman said all major political interventions on Kashmir had come through BJP leadership so far since 1990s, “whether free and fair elections of 2002, reopening of roads between parts of J&K and reaching out to Pakistan”.

“It’s true in many cases in the past talks could not yield desired results. But where do one start again. It has to be an incremental thing. This dialogue process has the potential to be crucial first step and many things will follow up,” said Mr. Akhtar.

Mr. Modi during his day long visit on Saturday had asked armed youth to join mainstream and said the Ramzan ceasefire was a reach-out to the youth of J&K. He also stressed that Centre’s special representative would talk “to all groups”.

However, the Hurriyat leaders had described the ceasefire as “a joke” and sought a complete end of “war in Kashmir once for all”.

Soz’s appeal

Former minister and senior Congress leader Saif-ud-Din Soz has said, “ Mr. Modi has lumped all agitating youth together. Mr. Modi’s non-response to the Chief Minister’s plea for creating an atmosphere of reconciliation in Kashmir shows a situation of harder times for the future of the coalition government in the State. The parties and groups need to raise an effective voice for a dialogue process to be initiated by the Centre with the leadership that is totally alienated, the Hurriyat,’’ Mr. Soz added.