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India should bring ultras to dialogue: Qayyum

Source:PTI
May 02, 2007 21:12 IST
Asking separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir to have a realistic approach on the dialogue process, Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir leader Sardar Abdul Qayyum on Wednesday asked New Delhi to make efforts for bringing in militant groups to the dialogue table.

"New Delhi should ask them to join the dialogue table, I am hopeful they will come forward," Qayyum, who was in the capital to attend a conference, told PTI.

While acknowledging the "work" of militant groups in highlighting the Kashmir issue, the 84-year-old former President and Prime Minister of PoK, said, "Violence has played its role and it is for the dialogue process to resolve the Kashmir issue."

The senior leader, who wrapped up his visit with a meeting with the Centre's interlocutor on Kashmir N N Vohra, was evasive when his attention was drawn to the recent US state department report that terror camps still existed in Pakistan and PoK.

Qayyum had a different tale to tell. "There are no terror camps in PoK to the best of my knowledge. Possibly those who have picked up guns earlier may be living in some places but that does not mean it's a training camp," he said.

To a question whether he supported the approach of moderate Hurriat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq or that of hardliner Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani, Qayyum retorted back, "I support neither but a realistic approach towards the benefit of the people."

Source: PTI
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