Reaching out to separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday said Government will hold “quiet” talks with all shades of opinion to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem that may be “unique” and not indulge in “verbal gymnastics.”
Responding promptly to the Home Minister’s statement, Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq welcomed it saying they also believed in constructive dialogue rather than having a photo-opportunity.
“There is a political problem in Kashmir and it has to be solved. (The) Prime Minister has made the policy of the government clear on many occasions. We are not afraid of dialogue... we are not shying away from the talks. There will be a dialogue with every section of political opinion” on the Kashmir problem, Mr. Chidambaram said at the All India Editors Conference on Social and Infrastructure issues here.
Mr. Chidambaram also spoke of India’s concerns over infiltration from across the border. He said there has been “desperation” on the part of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to push infiltrators into India.
“After the Parliamentary elections. there has been a spurt in infiltration, a desperation. One can see a desperation on the part of Pakistan and PoK authorities to infiltrate into India,” he said.
Asked if the dialogue would take up the status of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of the country, he shot back, “I refuse to be drawn into these verbal gymnastics. Do not expect me to fall into these traps.”
