Third round-table on Kashmir within one month: Azad

Srinagar, Apr 9 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the third round-table conference would be held within one month.

Addressing a rally at Raithan near Badgam, he said the conference would address the issues of unemployment, orphans and widows.

Mr Azad said he had recommended immediate holding of the third round-table conference to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the recommendations of the five working groups.

For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, a sincere and result-oriented effort was made to address all issues at a representative forum of the round-table conference, he added.

The Chief Minister said the people from different opinions, political parties and ethnic groups from all the three regions of the state have participated in the two round-table conferences.

He said the conferences and formation of five working groups have laid a foundation for a smooth path for the people of the state to move forward on all issues pertaining to them.

CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has also written a letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to immediately convene the third round-table conference so that the recommendations of various working groups were implemented.

Mr Tarigami said at the conclusion of second conclave here in May last year, it was proposed the third round-table conference would consider the recommendations of the five working groups which were given a six-month time for the purpose.

''That period has ended. As such, the third meet has already got delayed as the fifth working group dealing with the crucial issue of Centre-State relations, for some reasons, was not able to hold discussions on time. Its further delay may neither be advisable nor fruitful under the circumstances,'' he said in the letter.

UNI