JK min tells separatists to meet interlocutors

A senior Jammu and Kashmir minister has asked separatists to hold dialogue with Centre's interlocutors for finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue. "The separatists should shun their prejudices and understand that by coming forward and talking to the interlocutors, and the Centre, a lasting solution can be found to the vexed issue," Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar said addressing an awareness camp in Srinagar on Thursday evening.

Referring to the peace initiative of the Centre, Sagar said Chief Minster Omar Abdullah has already spelled out his priorities regarding the ongoing process. "The government would act as a facilitator. We believe that every complex issue can be addressed only through the medium of dialogue and all the parties involved should also understand this fact," he said.

The introlocutors group comprising senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, academician Radha Kumar and former Information Commissioner M M Ansari was set up on October 13 by the Union Home Ministry. The group undertook its six-day maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir from October 23.

The minister appealed to the people to remain vigilant against the "nefarious designs of the parties who believed in the cult of violence and bloodshed." Sagar said the government had set up a task force in connection with the artisan rehabilitation scheme and termed it as a revolutionary step. "Since the artisans constitute a considerable chunk of the population of the state, therefore, the policy is a landmark step whereby besides providing proper rehabilitation measures and care, the problems of exploitation of this class will also be addressed," he added.