Undeterred by rival faction head Syed Ali Shah Geelani's outright rejection of their reconciliatory efforts, senior Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Friday said unity among the separatist ranks had to be accorded "top priority" in view of ongoing dialogue process for resolution of Kashmir issue.
"We will be talking to every individual... every party who think that Kashmir is a dispute that needs to be resolved through a dialogue process," Mirwaiz told reporters after addressing the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.
He said unity among the separatist ranks had been accorded "top priority in view of the ongoing dialogue process for resolution of Kashmir issue".
Asked if he would be making any special efforts to rope in Geelani as well, Mirwaiz said, "We will talk to every one irrespective of whether the party is small or big. We want to strengthen the Hurriyat constitution ahead of the next round of talks with New Delhi."
Hurriyat chief Maulana Mohammad Ansari on Wednesday stepped down from his post to pave way for unity among the rival factions of the amalgam but Geelani, who heads the other faction, outrightly rejected the unification proposal.
Mirwaiz said a lasting and durable solution to Kashmir issue could only be found through a "meaningful and purposeful dialogue involving India, Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir."
He condemned the elements who have been targetting his family and institutions as 'cowards' saying, "If they think that these tactics are going to cow us down, they are mistaken."