The three-member team of interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir led by journalist Dileep Padgaonkar on Sunday met a group of militants at the Central Jail here. It also met some youths who had taken part in the stone-throwing agitation during the past four months.
Accompanied by other team members Radha Kumar and M.M. Ansari, Mr. Padgaonkar met at least five militants from the Al-Badr, the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad in the jail. Sources told The Hindu that among those whom the interlocutors met were top-ranking commanders of these organisations.
The militants, the sources said, asked the interlocutors to prove their sincerity by creating a conducive atmosphere for talks. They cited the crackdown on youth who were “agitating for a right and just cause,” the sources said.
The militants also stressed on the involvement of Pakistan in any dialogue process to find an “amicable” solution to the Kashmir problem.
On Saturday evening, the team met some youths in jail who were booked for stone-throwing. It also had a chance meeting with Hurriyat Conference (moderate) leader Nayeem Khan.
Patient hearing
In a significant development, the team members had an hour-long interaction with some youths who had been “actively engaged” in stone-pelting. The meeting took place at an undisclosed location and the youths clearly articulated the view that “people of Kashmir want Azadi.” They reminded the team of the promises made by the Centre from time to time and “how democracy was being choked in Kashmir.” They reportedly told the team that the government should consider the five points raised by Hurriyat hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to put an end to the ongoing unrest in the Valley. The members gave a patient hearing, the sources said.
The interlocutors will devote entire Tuesday for meeting students and youth at Kashmir University.
