In an apparent reference to the separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference and militants, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmed Sayeed on Sunday called for a positive response to Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani's offer of unconditional talks to resolve the Kashmir imbroglio.
Without naming the militants or the separatist amalgam, he said the response to the offer of talks made by Advani during his recent visit to Jammu should be positive from those who did not participate in the election.
"You must have heard that deputy prime minister offered unconditional dialogue... talks will not only be held with elected representatives but also with those who did not take part in the recently-held elections," Sayeed told a public gathering at Gopalpora in Budgam district, where a government school teacher and his two sons were shot dead by militants last week.
"The deputy prime minister has accepted the state government's major demand of initiating unconditional dialogue go resolve the Kashmir problem. Now killings must stop to pave way for a dialogue. There is no role of gun," he said.
No group or organization has now any reason to refuse to positively respond to the offer, Sayeed said. "I do not feel that they should reject the offer but should grab the opportunity and express their readiness for dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue."
Referring to the ongoing killings of innocent people in the state, he said his government has taken a pledge to usher peace in the state with dignity and honour and sought people's support in this difficult "but not impossible task."