Malik to take part in round-table only after format change

Srinagar, Apr 12: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation front (JKLF) Chairman Yasin Malik today said he would participate in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposed second round-table conference here in May only after its format was changed.

''The Government of India should understand that there is no point in talking to its own people. It has no problems with the mainstream political parties of the state. They are not demanding independence or merger with Pakistan,'' he told a news conference.

Mr Malik said the Centre had decided to hold talks with the Naga insurgent groups on a totally a different format. ''The government did not talk to the political parties there, but only with the fighting groups and that too in a third country,'' he added.

The JKLF Chief, who returned here early this week from a month-long visit of Pakistan, demanded the same format for holding dialogue process with separatist groups of Jammu and Kashmir.

The peace process in Jammu and Kashmir should be on the same pattern as going on in Nagaland, he added.

Mr Malik said the Centre instead of talking to mainstream political parties should hold a dialogue with ideological forces and the militant leadership to find a lasting and amicable settlement of the long-festering Kashmir issue.

UNI