Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the newly-appointed interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir should be given a “chance” even as the panel said it would approach all shades of opinion with an “open mind and a big heart”.
Ahead of their maiden visit to J and K, the interlocutors -- eminent journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, noted academician Radha Kumar and former CIC member M M Ansari -- met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“Home Minister (P Chidambaram) has repeatedly maintained that it (Kashmir) is a political problem and will get a political solution. Let us give it a chance,” Mr Omar said in a veiled appeal to separatists to engage in talks with the interlocutors.
Noting that the job of the three-member panel was to facilitate dialogue, Mr Omar said there was no reason to criticise the composition of the group at this stage.
“The criticism of the interlocutors at this stage is uncalled for as there is no reason for it. They are not to find a solution but to convey the message from all political shades and opinions in the state to the Centre and vice versa,” he said in Srinagar. The announcement of the team was greeted with scepticism in the Valley.
The team said its talks would be comprehensive and that the mission would be a “difficult” exercise.
“The Prime Minister reiterated support at the highest level. The Prime Minister said talk particularly with youth and women,” Mr Padgaonkar told reporters in New Delhi after the panel’s meeting with Mr Manmohan Singh.
Mr Padgaonkar said the way of looking at Kashmir has been different from region to region and the panel would be sensitive to all aspects.
“These are difficult talks. We will be talking with an open mind and a big heart. It will be comprehensive,” he said.
Mr Padgaonkar said the interlocutors would be going to Srinagar at the earliest and the Prime Minister conveyed to them that they were welcome to share their insights with him anytime.
“We are hugely impressed with the depth and sincerity of the Prime Minister to ensure that a solution is found...We are planning to visit Jammu and Kashmir once every month. We will be submitting interim reports after every visit with suggestions and recommendations. We have a mandate of a year,” he said.
Ms Radha Kumar said the Prime Minister stressed on the importance of finding a political solution which is comprehensive.
“He (the Prime Minister) said it (talks) must take into account aspirations of people. Dialogue should take into account previous dialogues as well those involving dissident groups, including Pak-related processes that were part of it,” she said.
