J&K separatists doubt Govt's quiet dialogue offer

Separatists in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday said the Centre's offer of a 'quiet' dialogue is aimed at thrusting a compromise solution on the people of the state.

"Quiet diplomacy is secret diplomacy where few people will decide things and force a solution on people of Jammu and Kashmir against their aspirations, sacrifices and 62-year struggle," Chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani said at a function in Srinagar.

Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram said in Srinagar last month that the Centre will hold "quiet" talks with all shades of opinion to find a political solution to the Kashmir problem away from media glare that may be "unique".

Suspecting the Centre's intention behind the offer of a quiet dialogue, Geelani criticised Hurriyat moderates for responding positively to the move, saying that they did so to save their political career.

"Through quiet diplomacy, India thinks that it can buy every leader and individual here like they did with NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. But we have to break their belief, show national character and set an example for the progeny," the separatist leader said.

Accusing India of using colleges and universities as a tool to change the mindset and culture of the people of the state, he said it is a kind of oppression aimed at diluting their identity.

The Awami National Conference (ANC) also asked the Centre to suspend the "back channel" dialogue and facilitate Intra-Kashmir conferences across the Line of Control to thrash out a solution to the lingering Kashmir problem.

Calling upon people of the state to remain dedicated to the cause of "freedom", Geelani asked them not to backtrack or else they would never achieve their goal.

Reacting to JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik's statement that three generations of the state have been consumed in the struggle and the next generation should not see conflict, he asked: "Are they trying to convey that sacrifices were useless and we should go for some sort of arrangement now?"

Asking Pakistan not to dilute its stand on Kashmir, the octogenaraian leader said, "Pakistan should not enter any deal, compromise or agreement on Kashmir issue. They should not show any kind of leniency in their stand".

Senior separatist leader and President of Democratic Freedom Party Shabir Ahmad Shah rejected bilateral talks between Kashmiri separatists and New Delhi and said any such talks would be in violation of the agreement signed between the two factions of Hurriyat Conference brokered by him in June 2008.

"It will never be accepted. Bilateral talks have always harmed the movement", he said, adding that if the Centre is serious it should prepare ground for a trilateral dialogue involving Pakistan.

Talking about moves by people of the divided state to hold intra-Kashmir conferences in Srinagar, Jammu, Ladakh, Gilgit and Muzaffarabad, ANC Vice president Mohammad Muzaffar Shah said, "People of J and K irrespective of caste, creed, religion or region will be engaged in a dialogue to suggest a just and equitable solution to the dispute."