Srinagar: Welcoming the thaw in the relations between India and Pakistan, Hurriyat Conference on August 1 said dialogue for resolving Kashmir issue should be initiated between the two countries and the people of Kashmir should be involved in the negotiations.

"Hurriyat welcomes the pleasant changes in Indo-Pak relations and hopes that process of dialogue to resolve the basic issue between the two countries would be initiated," chairman of Hurriyat Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari said addressing a Friday congregation at Syedpora in spore town of North Kashmir.

"People of Kashmir, being the basic party to the issue, should be involved in the negotiations to respect the wishes and aspirations of the people, historic international realities and UN Resolutions on Kashmir," he said.

Abbas said promises made by the Indian leaders and UN Resolutions should be made the basis for finding a lasting solution to the issue.

Expressing grave concern over the growing incidents of rights violations and custodial killings in the state, he appealed to the international community to force India to stop the bloodshed, loot and excesses being committed on the people living on this unfortunate territory.

PTI