Kashmir unrest- Ice broken, is peace round the corner?

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who had earlier refused to talk to Sitaram Yechury, opened his doors for Yashwant Sinha

Srinagar, Oct 26: There is a lot of hope that is riding on the meeting between the Yashwant Sinha-led delegation and the Hurriyat Conference leaders. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who had refused to talk to CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, opened his doors for Sinha. The demands may not be fulfilled entirely, but the ice has been broken.

The talks were cordial between the members of the delegation and Geelani. However, Geelani put out a list of demands which he felt should be fulfilled if the 110 day unrest in the Valley were to end.

The first demand made by him was on the historical perspective of the Kashmir issue, pending for its final resolution since 1947. Further, the separatist leader also demanded that all those arrested must be released and cases against them must be withdrawn.

The police have so far arrested 6,000 people and booked 450 under the Public Safety Act.

Sinha termed the initiative as personal. He said after the meet that the talks were cordial. He along with the other members of the delegation will meet other leaders of the Hurriyat on Wednesday.

Observers of the Kashmir issue say that it is not clear if this would solve the issue. However, what is important is that the ice has been broken. Many had suggested to the government that talking to the separatists is important.

Last time the separatists refused to meet members of the Rajnath Singh-led delegation. Whether the talks held by the Sinha-led delegation will be a success or not is yet to be seen.

Observers say that it is the people who have suffered the most as a result of this unrest. There has been curfew for over 100 days.

Even if the administration lifts the curfew it is the separatists through their calendar of protests, who have been inciting violence. The success of the delegation would be known if the separatists stop issuing the calendar of protests.

OneIndia News