Geelani favours talks on Kashmir

Jammu, Nov 24: Breakaway Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today said the solution to the Kashmir issue could be achieved only through ''result oriented'' dialogue.

Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH) Chairman, Mr Geelani opposed the India-Pakistan peace process and favoured ''the right to self-determination as the only solution to the impending issue''.

He said he was not against the talks ''but they should be result oriented''.

Referring to his meeting with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan at New Delhi, the separatist leader said Mr Khan had also considered the right to self-determination as the ''right stand''.

Mr Geelani, however, admitted that the militants were ''out of control'' in Kashmir valley.

However, he demanded that the Indian Army should be asked to leave Jammu and Kashmir, the Public Safety Act (PSA) and Armed Forces special powers act be repelled, and Kashmir be recognised as ''disputed area'' to ensure a solution.

In the meantime, while Mr Geelani was addressing the mediapersons at Jammu Press Club some shiv sena activists entered and started raising slogans.

Police immediately swung into action and the leader was safely taken away along with his supporters, sources said.

UNI