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Only tripartite talks can solve Kashmir issue: Jamaat-e-Islami

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Mohammad Bhat has blamed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi for 'subverting democracy' during the 1987 election.

He said, ''Had there been no rigging during the 1987 assembly poll, conditions would have been different today. During those elections the youths realised that their rights were being suppressed."

The JI, he continued, wants a peaceful solution to the Kashmir problem. "We will give all possible co-operation to find a peaceful solution," he added.

However, the leader said the issue can only be solved through tripartite talks. "The solution should be acceptable to the people living in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh," he said.

He alleged that his activists were being killed in the valley and blamed the government for such 'excesses'. Till now, over 2000 Jamaat activists have been killed across the state. The majority of party workers have now migrated to other places in view of continued state harassment, he said, demanding a halt on such atrocities.

Bhat admitted that his party has done little to ensure the safe return of Pandits. "If the government allows us to work freely we would definitely help in their safe return," he said, adding that a delegation of JI leaders had recently met the National Human Rights Commission chairman.

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