Centre's Kashmir initiative an eyewash: Geelani

The hardline Hurriyat Conference on Saturday rejected Centre's eight-point formula to de-escalate the current turmoil in Kashmir terming it as an "eye wash" even as other separatist outfits maintained a studied silence.

Chairman of the hardline faction Syed Ali Shah Geelani said the package of measures did not met the demands raised by him for starting a dialogue process for resolving the Kashmir issue.

Describing the steps as a mere "eye wash", the Hurriyat hawk reiterated his demand for withdrawal of troops from the state and release of political prisoners.

On the other hand, the moderate Hurriyat, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik maintained a studied silence over the steps unveiled by the Centre.

Malik said he would convene a meeting of the working committee and the executive council of his outfit to discuss the new development.

"We will comment only after the measures announced (by the Union government) are discussed threadbare by the working committee and the general council," the separatist leader told PTI.

Sources in the moderate Hurriyat Conference, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said consultations were on among amalgam leaders for framing a response to Union home minister's latest move.

The Centre on Saturday unveiled an eight-point formula, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, to deal with the current unrest in the Valley.

"None of our demands, in particular accepting Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory, have been considered by the government," Geelani said.

In a video posted on social networking site Youtube, the hardline separatist leader accused the Centre of adopting delaying tactics regarding resolution of the Kashmir issue.

On the announcement of Rs 5 lakh compensation to the next of kin of those killed during the ongoing unrest, Geelani said "the withdrawal of armed forces from the state will be the only compensation for them."

"Even Rs 5 crore compensation will not be enough for the bereaved families," he said. He once again demanded withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir and release of political prisoners including those arrested in the past three months.