Interlocutors: Geelani says futile; Mirwaiz to discuss

SRINAGAR: The hardline Hurriyat Conference today rejected as a "futile exercise" the Centre's appointment of interlocutors for a dialogue process in Jammu and Kashmir while the moderate faction said they will discuss the matter before making a statement on it.

"This is a futile exercise. The Government of India is acting like the deaf and dumb," Geelani said reacting to the appointment of journalist Dilip Padgaonkar, Prof Radha Kumar and Information Commissioner M M Ansari as the Centre's interlocutors to hold talks with all shades of opinion, including separatists, in the state.

Geelani said no dialogue can be held for resolution of Kashmir issue unless the Centre acts on the five-point proposal mooted by him in August this year for normalisation of situation in the Valley.

"We have given the five-point formula. Instead of reacting to it, they are beating around the bush," he said.

The Hurriyat hawk had demanded in August that the Centre accept Jammu and Kashmir as a dispute. He also sought release all political prisoners including those arrested for stone-pelting, withdrawal of armed forces from the state, putting an end to "human rights violations" and arresting the security personnel responsible for the civilian killings during the recent unrest in the Valley.

Moderate Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told PTI that his faction of the amalgam will study the development and hold discussions with the members of the executive committee before making a statement on it.

JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik refused to comment on the development.