New Delhi, January 14
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said his government was willing to meet "all sections of public opinion" in Jammu and Kashmir in its efforts to reach a consensus on solution to the vexed problem in the state.
The Prime Minister, who today held talks at his residence with a five-member delegation of People's Conference led by Mr Sajjad Lone, conveyed his government's desire to reach out to the "hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir."
Prime Minister's Media Advisor Sanjaya Baru said later that the talks were wide-ranging and "very constructive." "The talks will continue in future with this group and others," he said.
Mr Baru said the Prime Minister conveyed his government's willingness to reach out to all shades of public opinion and to talk to those who were outside the electoral system in the state.
Emerging from the talks, Mr Sajjad Lone said for the talk process to be result-oriented, it should be inclusive. Recalling the "scale of sacrifice" of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said was important "we preserve the new generation."
Describing the talks as "very positive," he said there could be no short-term results. "It is very important to go ahead. The process should not be pre-judged," he said.
Mr Lone said the Prime Minister was keen to institutionalise the talk process so that he could listen to more voices. He said instituionalisation of the talk process was a "civilised mode of conflict resolution." Answering queries, the People's Conference leader said it was for the government to identify relevant individuals and political parties in Kashmir so that they could take the dialogue process forward.
Centre's interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir N.N. Vohra, National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair and Home Secretary V.K. Duggal were among those present.
