'Separatists forced to take part in round-table'

Srinagar, May 18: The breakaway Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has alleged that the Centre was 'threatening' several separatist leaders to participate in the second round-table conference here on May 24.

''The Government of India is taking recourse to coercion to persuade the people to take part in the round-table conference,'' a Hurriyat spokesman in a statement here.

He alleged that the houses of several separatist leaders were raided and several activists beaten up.

''Several leaders are receiving phone calls warning of dire consequences in case they fail to participate in the round-table conference,'' the spokesman said.

Terming it as a ''state terrorism'', he said the Hurriyat (Geelani faction) would participate in the talks only when India accepts Kashmir as a ''disputed'' region.

UNI

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