Involve separatists in next Round Table conference, Omar to PM

Srinagar, Apr 3 (UNI) President of the National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take measures so that separatists also participate in the Round Table conference on Kashmir issue being held here next month.

''The efforts being made by Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf on Kashmir issue were encouraging and it is the time for Indian leadership to grab the opportunity,'' Mr Omar said while addressing a public meeting at Kokernag in south Kashmir district of Anantnag.

He urged Dr Singh to rope in the separatists' leadership so that their participation in the Round Table conference issue is possible.

The separatist leadership, including both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party stayed away from the last Round table conference held at New Delhi last month.

The former Union Minister of state for external affairs said during his recent meeting with the leadership of Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) he was encouraged that everyone wanted a peaceful resolution of the issue now.

''I had a long meeting with Dr Singh on the issue after my return from Pakistan,'' he said.

He reiterated his party stand that greater autonomy was a best solution to the issue under the present circumstances.

However, he said, the NC was ready to welcome any other better solution to the Kashmir. ''Our doors for discussion any other solution are open always'', he said.

'' Our only goal is to bring out the people of the state from the turmoil,'' he added.

UNI BAS SC HT1740