Third roundtable on Kashmir commences

New Delhi, Apr 24: The third roundtable on Kashmir, convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the recommendations of Working Groups, commenced here this morning.

All prominent separatist groups, including both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference, have refused to participate in the conclave, being held at the 7, Race Course Residence of the Prime Minister.

The Union Home Ministry has invited representatives from 45 groups and political parties besides individuals.

Besides political leaders from the Congress, National Conference, PDP, Panthers Party, the CPI (M) and the BJP and intellectuals, the roundtable is being attended by members of various organisations representing region-specific communities, including Kashmiri Pandits and individuals.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and several of his ministerial colleagues are participating.

Like the previous two occasions -- in February and May last year -- all prominent separatists -- both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front led by Yasin Malik, Democratic Freedom Party of Shabir Shah and others-- refused to attend.

However, the ex-hijacker and Democratic Liberation Party (DLP) chairman Hashim Qureshi, who had boycotted the second conclave, would participate in the third roundtable.

The conference will discuss the recommendations of four of the five Working Groups, constituted by the Prime Minister at the end of the second conclave in Srinagar on May 24-25 last year.

The Working groups were set to give recommendations on good governance, strengthening of Centre-state relations, improving ties across the Line of Control, Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to improve condition of people affected by militancy and economic development of the state.

The group on strengthening Centre-state relations is yet to submit its suggestions.

UNI