Wednesday, February 15 2006 19:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: The state unit of CPI(M) today (Feb 15 2006) welcomed the Centre's initiative of holding a round table conference with separatists and mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir and said before holding such a meeting the Government should talk to the people of different shades to make the process more serious and inclusive.

Before holding the conference scheduled on February 24, the Government should talk to the people of different shades separately for better understanding to make the process more serious and inclusive, CPI(M) said in a statement here today.

CPI(M) feels that government should have individually invited both the factions of Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other separatist leaders as well as the mainstream leadership which would contribute enormously for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, it said.

However, it said the party welcomes the initiative which would provide a unique opportunity to all concerned to put their views in a congenial atmosphere and the leaders of contending positions could be brought together for a debate, besides understanding the position of the government on the issue to formulate the future course of action.

"CPI(M) is of the view that the process needs to be institutionalised and the government should evolve a comprehensive mechanism to carry forward the negotiations for amicable solution of the vexed issue," the statement said.