Tuesday, April 18 2006 17:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: Favouring 'demilitarisation' in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq today said it will help in developing trust and confidence among the people on both sides of the Line of Control.

"We want reduction of forces in both sides across the LoC which will further help in confidence building between India and Pakistan," Farooq told reporters here after his four-day tour to border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

On Hurriyat's participation in next Roundtable on Kashmir, Mirwaiz said he has never been against the concept of Roundtable conference and had initiated these talks earlier with the NDA government.

"Let us first know what is the agenda for next Roundtable conference and then only we can think of participating in it," he said.

Asked about the participation of other separatist groups in these talks, he said Hurriyat believes that other political parties should also be taken into confidence.

The ongoing dialogue process between two neighbouring countries is a welcome step but it is "going slowly," he said adding, "we want that government of India should take some concrete measures and move forward in developing trust and confidence among the people of the state."

He said if there is no reduction of forces within the state, it can become an impediment in the peace process.

In reply to a question, he said Hurriyat and Pakistan have shown 'flexibility' in its approach towards resolution of Kashmir problem, but the Central government, being a bigger party, needs to show some forward movement.