Kashmir interlocutors to submit report to government in ten days

Srinagar/New Delhi, Dec. 24 (ANI): Dileep Padgaonkar, veteran Indian journalist and one of the three Kashmir interlocutors, said on Thursday, that they will submit the report with their recommendations to the Central Government within ten days.

The two other interlocutors-academician Radha Kumar and former Information Commissioner M M Ansari were also present at the press conference in Srinagar.

"The group of interlocutors will reflect in their next report to the government all these ideas and suggestions along with their recommendations within ten days after their return to New Delhi today (Thursday)," said Padgaonkar.

He added that the settlement must emerge after a dialogue with all the stakeholders.

"The settlement must emerge after a sustained dialogue with all stakeholders including the Hurriyat and other allied groups to ensure that it genuinely reflects the will of the people of the state. The settlement must include a free flow of people and trade across the Line of Control," said Padgaonkar.

Meanwhile, Kumar said that a total of 3,050 people were arrested out of whom 3,000 are already released.

"We have been told that 3,050 people were arrested of which 3000 were released. We also find from answers to legislative assembly questions that there are a hundred recent arrests of people accused of indulging in stone pelting as well as a very large number of people are being held on charges of incitement. We are talking to the state government and asking whether it would not be more appropriate for them to release people who are held on minor charges and we hope that there will be a receptive response," Kumar said.

The panel of Kashmir interlocutors had visited the border district of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday (December 19), during visit to the state.

The Indian Government had appointed the above three interlocutors to begin the dialogue process with communities and local leaders to get an account of problems faced by them in India's restive Kashmir region on October 13.

Aiming at bridging the stark communication gap between the Indian government, separatist factions and the local masses of Kashmir, the panel has been touring the strife-ridden state to revive peace talks between the concerned parties. (ANI)