Inaugural session of 2nd Intra J-K Talks a damp squib

New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) The inaugural session of the second three-day Intra Jammu and Kashmir 'Heart-to Heart' Talks turned out to be a damp squib with almost all prominent leaders, including separatists, from the state giving the event a miss.

Among prominent political leaders invited to the conclave only former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah attended the first session.

Even the secessionists, including Hurriyat leaders, were conspicous by their absence at the conclave, held to improve people-to-people contact across the Line of Control (LoC).

From Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), former PoK ''President and Prime Minister'' Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyun Khan led a delegation, but in depleted strength.

As many as 26 invitees from PoK were scheduled to participate but only 18 made it to the conclave, organised by Panthers Party Chief Bhim Singh.

More than 100 representatives from several parties and groups, including separatists, were invited to the meet.

The invitees included Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister Saifuddin Soz, PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, NC chief Omar Abdullah and separatist leaders Shabir Shah, Yaseen Malik, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.

Talking to newspersons at the inaugural session, Mr Singh said the conference is being held to provide an opportunity to people from across the divide to express their opinion at a common platform on Kashmir.

''The resolution of the Kashmir issue will not come from the leadership of India or Pakistan but from the people...the genesis of the situation is such the leaders can't understand the problem. Only the people can come up with a peaceful solution,'' he observed.

Mr Singh said it was an opportunity to strengthen communication and contact between the people.

''People from both sides of the divide want to facilitate CBMs and the peace process between the two countries,'' he added.

The first Intra Jammu and Kashmir 'Heart-to Heart' conference was held in September 2005.

UNI