New Delhi: With indications that talks with separatists and representatives of Jammu
and Kashmir Assembly may begin soon, the government is likely to announce
appointment of Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission K C Pant as its interlocutor.
The "Pant mission-II" was expected to begin later in February even as intermediaries
were holding informal talks with separatist groups including Hurriyat Conference,
asking them to either participate in the dialogue process or forget it
forever.
State Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has also shown his inclination towards
Pant as the interlocutor for holding talks with the representatives as well as the
separatists, informed sources said.
The Commission is expected to make a visit to the state before the proposed visit of
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in April.
Indications of a dialogue between the new interlocutor and separatist groups
including Hurriyat Conference were available, especially after widespread
international condemnation of Hurriyat for not participating in the electoral
process.
Hurriyat, whose proposal to visit to Pakistan was shot down by Deputy Prime Minister
L K Advani, is also believed to be rethinking its policy.
Minister of State for Home I D Swami has made it clear that while Centre was
prepared to hold talks with various militant outfits to restore total peace, it
would also act sternly to curb terrorism in the state.
Pant has already been discreetly holding talks with a think-tank of Kashmir and
trying to generate an opinion about starting his "Mission Kashmir" afresh and of
late he has been holding closed-door meetings with Sayeed.
The sources said the Centre and the state government were silently working out the
modalities for beginning the talks as Sayeed has been emphasising the need for an
early exercise following international appreciation for his stand including that
from Britain's High Commissioner Rob Young recently.
The government had announced Pant Committee for Kashmir in April 2001 but had to
wind it up after very few separatist leaders came forward and held talks with him.
Shabir Shah was the only prominent leader who had held talks with Pant.
PTI
