J&K dialogue process should involve India, Pakistan and Kashmiris, says Langate MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid

SRINAGAR: J&K Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid today said that talks between the Centre and separatists in the state would not yield results if there were any preconditions attached to the dialogue process.

"There will be no takers whosoever to talk with state or the Centre, unless the talks start without preconditions and also involve all the three parties (India, Pakistan and Kashmiris)," Rashid said in a statement here.

The Langate MLA was reacting to statements made by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Jammu yesterday stating that separatists should first talk to the state government before any talks with the Centre.

"Let Singh understand that Kashmiris have not sacrificed everything to beg for a so-called dialogue to get some minor concessions within the ambit of Indian constitution but want resolution of Kashmiri dispute within the parameters of historic perspective," Rashid said.

He noted that the minister should understand that Kashmiris are fed up with the word 'dialogue'.

"People of Kashmir understand better that the Government of India, by its arrogance and mistrust, has destroyed the institution of dialogue," he said.

The firebrand MLA added that instead of "crying over hoisting of Pakistani flags in Kashmir, Rajnath Singh and all those who matter should introspect that why Government of India has not been able to defeat the love and sympathy for Pakistan in Kashmir".

Rashid noted that, "It is not ( Syed Ali Shah) Geelani or Masarat Alam but the common Kashmiris who raise Pakistani flags and they do not seek permission to do so from Geelani or someone else".

The MLA said the Union Home Minister should stop sermonising about Islam, accusing him of eroding the credibility of the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government by reiterating that it will identify land for separate townships for Kashmiri Pandits in the valley soon.