Describing the elections in Jammu and Kashmir as a "futile exercise", the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference on Wednesday said India and Pakistan should accept "the reality" that unless Kashmir issue is resolved neither peace nor democratic values would be strengthened.
A resolution adopted by the separatist amalgam after a special meeting of the executive council chaired by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq also supported dialogue with India and Pakistan, saying rejecting such a proposition "will be against the farsightedness and realistic approach."
"The election process is futile and meaningless as the exercise has neither led to the resolution of Kashmir in the past nor will it help in future...India and Pakistan should accept this reality," it said.
Unless an "honourable and everlasting" solution to Kashmir issue is achieved, neither peace can be restored nor the democratic values would be strengthened," the resolution said.
The meeting discussed the prevailing situation in the aftermath of protests in the Valley and unanimously passed the resolution.
"Hurriyat Conference in accordance with its constitution supports the fruitful and result-oriented dialogue in finding a solution to the Kashmir issue and in this context want to clarify that dialogue holds the key for the resolution of issues," the resolution said.
The meeting, among others was attended by Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Moulana Mohammad Abbass Ansari, Bilal Gani Lone, Aga Syed Hassan Al-Safvi Al-mousvi, Fazal Haq Qureshi, Mohammad Abdullah Tari and Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, at the Nigeen residence of Mirwaiz.
"India should accept the bitter political realities and honour the aspirations of the people and take appropriate confidence building measures for creation of conducive political atmosphere," the resolution said and called for release of political prisoners and opening of all routes across the Line of Control for free movement and trade. Hurriyat conference strongly feels that a concrete political strategy be adopted and politics of convenience abandoned so that a united political manifesto is chalked out which is acceptable to all the parties," the resolution said.
It said the Hurriyat strongly believes in unity among the leadership and resolves to take everyone along. However, it warned that attempts of one-up-manship would not be acceptable in any condition.
The meeting authorised the Mirwaiz to present the resolution before the coordination committee of the separatist groups and try to seek consensus on the basic issues.