Wednesday, July 20 2005 10:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: For the first time since the oubtreak of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir 16 years ago, leaders of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference and migrant Kashmiri Pandits met here yesterday (July 19, 2005) in a bid to initiate the return of Hindus to the Kashmir valley.

But two leading representative Pandit groups, Kashmiri Samiti and Panun Kashmir stayed away from the exercise.

Reading out a joint statement after the landmark meeting, Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said the two sides had resolved that the Pandits will return to the Valley with a deeper sense of security and dignity and that, unmistakably, requires a favourable environment.

He said the participants supported the dialogue process between India and Pakistan to resolve issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, to ensure lasting peace in the region.

Forty-four Pandit leaders, including two women delegates, arrived at the Hurriyat headquarters here yesterday (July 19, 2005) morning and were greeted by the Mirwaiz and former Hurriyat chiefs Abdul Gani Bhat and Maulana Abbas Ansari among others.

At least 26 Jammu-based Kashmiri Pandits leaders, including prominent personalities like R L Bhan of All India Kashmiri Hindu Forum, P N Koul of Kashmiri Migrants Democratic Forum, Jeetendra Bakshi of Hindu Educational Society, Anil Dhar of Kashmiri Migrant Welfare Association, Desh Ratan Pandita of the All migrants Camps Co-ordination Committee attended the meeting.