Saturday, May 21 2005 17:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was open to talks with Hurriyat Conference but a mechanism has to be in place for such a dialogue to take place, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal said today (May 22, 2005).

"The Prime Minister is most open to talks with anybody who has a concrete plan. He has 16 to 18 hours of the day dedicated to the public," he said in response to a question on the deadlock in dialogue process between Centre and Hurriyat Conference.

However, a mechanism has to be put in place for holding such talks, he told reporters after a meeting with State representatives in Srinagar.

Asked if the purpose of his visit to the State was to work out the mechanism, Duggal replied in the negative. "This is my first visit to the State after taking over as Union Home Secretary. I am here to listen how to do things, which I will convey to the Centre".

On the possibility of a ceasefire within Jammu and Kashmir with militants, the Home Secretary was evasive saying, "I have heard from various quarters about how to take the process forward. I am small fish to talk about these things".

Duggal said important and positive steps were being taken in Kashmir to restore normalcy. "The return of Kashmiri Pandit migrants and the Amarnath yatra are positive steps. I think Kashmir is on its way to peace".