SIMITI talks tough, Patil hopes solution asks SASS to step down
Political leaders stressed on solution accepted to both Jammu and Kashmir
By News Agency of Kashmir,
Jammu : The much awaited talks between the central delegation of all parties and Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Simithi remained inconclusive as both the sides failed to break the ice. The Central delegation is expected to hold talks with Kashmir based leaders on Sunday.
Earlier various political leaders including NC Patron, PDP president and Congress state Chief held a detailed meeting with the central team suggested some measures and urged for such a solution which is accepted to both the regions.
Sources said that the Simithi members who earlier refused to meet the delegation held discussions with the central delegation, which excluded NC Patron Farooq Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Azad and PCC chief Saif-ud-Din Soz. The trio did not participated in the talks as the Simithi had refused to meet the delegation in their presence.
It was reliably learnt that the talks, which concluded late evening, remained inconclusive as the Simithi members remained adamant on their stand. The Simithi leaders later said that the stand regarding the land remained unchanged and the ongoing agitation in Jammu will continue until the demand is met with.
The 26 member team representing SASS reached to meet the central team and put their demands before them. “We have presented our chatter of demand and now the ball is in goal of central government” A SIMITI members told News Agency of Kashmir adding the talks will continue.
Union home minister who headed the team later in a press conference told media persons that the restoration of peace was prime agenda and after hearing the views and demands of the political parties and SIMITI team will discuss them in length and then presents its report to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Sing.
“we will discuss the demands and suggestions put forth by the various representatives of Political parties and will report prime minister” he said.
He asked SIMITI members not to remain stick to their stand. He appealed the people to maintain peace. “I hope the SIMITI won’t stick to their stand” he added.
The Central team headed by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had arrived to hold talks with Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti (SASS), including other political parties, here this morning.
However, the Samiti late night refused to hold Talks with the with delegation members if National Conference (NC) Patron Farooq Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Saifuddin Soz are part of the team.
“These leaders were responsible for the present turmoil in the state, SASS will not meet the delegation if they are part of the team”, Leela Karan Sharma is reported to have said adding SIMITI will meet Union Home minister and NJP leader Shiv Raj Patil after the meet ends.
Spokesman of SIMITI in the afternoon told News Agency of Kashmir that they are waiting for invitation from central team, if they wanted to meet us (SIMITI) separately baring political leaders” adding they will not hesitate to meet kashmiri leaders who can also meet them.
“Let them meet separately, we will discuss the situation including road blockade to Kashmir” the spokesman added and said “we will take them to the residential colonies of Jammu and will show that Jammu people are also suffering.
He said that the SIMITI has been continuously urging people not to damage or stop any vehicle and remained against the road blockade, but the Kashmir based political parties including Hurriyat leaders are communalizing the situation.
“All political leaders including the representatives of some other organizations reached the Hari Niwas Hotel near Raj Bhawan, however no member from SASS, BJP and NPP was seen in the meeting” sources claimed adding these include National Conference Patron Dr Farooq, Abdullah, S S Salathia, Harbans Singh and Ajay Sadhotra.
Among PDP President Mehbooba Mufti accompanied its party leaders including T S Bajwa, Shanti Devi, Ved Mahajan, Dhaman Basin and Ashiq Hussian Khan while Congress state chief and Union Minister Prof Saif-ud-din Soz, Former chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, MP Lal Singh, Mangat Ram Sharma, Dharam Pal, Amrit Malhotra, GS Charak and Mula Ram are representing congress also reached at Hari Niwas Hotel, sources added.
Other leaders who reached to participate include Samaj Wadi Party JK Chief Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Tej Ram Dogra, JD (S) Danraj Badgotra, Nationalist BSP Dr Satpal and the representatives of Akhali Dal Badal.
The leaders put their view point before the team and suggested the delegation that such a decision should be taken which is accepted to both the regions.
Earlier Senior civil and police officers briefed the central team about the situation and the circumstances which led to killing of some protesters in Samba and Kathua. “The divisional administration also presented power point presentation to the central team displaying the video and pictures of the situation”.
National Conference patron, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, PCC chief Prof Soz, and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti held an hour long meeting with the delegation and discussed the prevailing situation which arises out of the Land Controversy in the state.