Kashmir separatist group suspends talks with Indian government
PLA Daily 2004-02-26
NEW DELHI, Feb. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- The Hurriyat Conference, which is a conglomerate of nearly two dozen separatist parties in Jammu and Kashmir, has announced the suspension of talks with Indian central government.
The Hurriyat, which claims to be the sole representative of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, has over the last few days been underintense pressure from hardliners to abandon the peace dialogue, according to NDTV, a New Delhi-based television station.
"The dialogue process with the government is in suspension because there is no evidence of sincerity and seriousness on their part," said Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari, Hurriyat Chairman.
Ansari said that the talks could resume only after Indian Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani fulfill his promise of putting an end to human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
"There has to be a perceptible change in the ground situation by the end of this month. If there is not, we will not go for talks with the Center," he added.
Hardliners have been attacking Hurriyat Conference led by Ansari for not taking up the killing of five civilians allegedly by security forces seriously.
The first-ever crucial talks between Indian central government and the Hurriyat Conference began on Jan. 22 with the separatist amalgam adopting a two-pronged strategy which includes a step-by-step approach for resolution of the vexed Kashmir issue.
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