Doors not shut for those wanting peace: Pant

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 4. The Centre's interlocutor on Kashmir, Mr. K.C. Pant, today categorically ruled out any scope for talks with ``merchants of death from across the border'' but reiterated that the ``doors are not shut for dialogue with Kashmiri militants who are desirous of peace.''

Addressing a press conference here at the end of a six-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Pant had some hard words for the All- Party Hurriyat Conference which had refused to meet him.

He questioned the Hurriyat's claim of being the sole representative of the people in the State.

``If the Hurriyat Conference claims to be the sole representative of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, let me tell you it is not at all reflected in the ground situation. Groups and individuals who came to talk to me told me that the Hurriyat Conference has no role in deciding on their future,'' he said.

Mr. Pant said that by choosing to stay away from the process of dialogue, aimed at restoring peace and normality in the troubled State, the Hurriyat would have to answer the people.

The Hurriyat's claim was ``blatantly overambitious and unsustainable'' as it had rejected the offer of an unconditional dialogue.

On the possibility of militant outfits joining the dialogue, he said he would have to distinguish between Kashmiri militants and those from across the border. ``The fundamentalist militant groups from across the border never responded to the ceasefire and its extension. They will always be opposed to the efforts to restore peace in the State.''

On his meeting with the senior Kashmiri separatist leader, Mr. Shabir Shah, he said: ``Mr. Shah supported the Prime Minister's initiative in extending an offer of dialogue to the Chief Executive of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf. He also recognised the need to create a conducive atmosphere to promote peace to evolve a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue.''

During his stay in the State, Mr. Pant met more than a hundred organisations, groups and trade bodies. ``I found an overwhelming urge for peace among the people in Kashmir. This desire for restoration of peace was the common refrain of representatives of all communities, regions, political parties and interest groups,'' he said.

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