Srinagar: Asserting that a change of guard in Jammu and Kashmir does not mean an "end" to the vexed Kashmir issue, moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference today demanded the matter should be resolved politically.

"Kashmir issue is a long standing problem and involves three parties - India, Pakistan and Kashmir. One should not have any illusion that a change of guard means an end to the issue. Kashmir is a political problem and needs political initiative to resolve it," Chairman of moderate faction Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said at a seminar here.

Referring to National Conference Chief Omar Abdullah taking oath as the state's Chief Minister, Mirwaiz said: "he is young and should keep in mind aspirations of the valley's youth, pursue pro-people agenda and understand ground realities."

38-year-old Omar was today sworn in as Jammu and Kashmir's youngest chief minister and will head the National Conference-Congress coalition government in the state.

Asked how the Hurriyat will respond if the new government facilitate their talks with the centre, he said: "time will decide. We don't see role of mainstream parties in resolution of the Kashmir issue."

Elections were held in the past but successive governments failed to represent true aspirations of Kashmiris. Instead, the governments worked to implement New Delhi's agenda in Kashmir, Mirwaiz charged.
Source : PTI