Consensus eludes Kashmir roundtable

Srinagar, May 25 (UNI) Major political parties today expressed divergent views on the Kashmir problem, making it difficult to arrive at a consensus to find a peaceful and durable solution on the vexed issue at the two day roundtable convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

While National Conference leader Omar Abdullah insisted on setting up of working groups on autonomy, self-rule and other issues to carry forward the dialogue process, the Peoples Democratic Party, a partner in the ruling Congress-led government, advocated for demilitarisation and consideration of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's proposal on self rule besides safe passage for misguided Kashmiri youths presently languishing in Pakistan- Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh pleaded for reorganisation of the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the Line Of Control should not be considered 'sacrosanct'. Similarly, representatives of Ladakh wanted Union Territory status for the region.

The five-hour-long marathon session of the two day roundtable today was chaired by Dr Manmohan Singh and attended by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz, Minister of State for Home Jaiprakash Jaiswal and leaders of all nationalist parties,except BJP.

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