NEW DELHI, 28 March 2004 — The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir must have a “human face,” Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani acknowledged during the second round of talks held yesterday with the four-member group representing All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC).
If the first round of talks described as a “good beginning” and “path-breaking” thawing the ice between the government and Hurriyat leaders helped them to be introduced to each other, the second was devoted to serious business. At the end of talks, Hurriyat leaders acknowledged that they were proceeding in the “right direction.”
Led by Hurriyat Chairman Moulvi Abbas Ansari, the members who participated in the talks were Mirwaiz Omar Farooq (Awami Action Committee), Professor Abdul Gani Bhat (Muslim Conference) and Bilal Ghani Lone (People’s Conference).
Advani was assisted by Union Home Secretary Anil Baijal and the center’s interlocutor on Kashmir N.N. Vohra.
The two-hour talks were held in a “cordial, free and frank atmosphere,” a statement read by Bilal Ghani Lone said.
“We reviewed the progress made on certain issues decided on Jan. 22,” Lone said.
The talks were dominated by Hurriyat leaders’ concern about human rights violation in Jammu and Kashmir and the release of political prisoners against whom there was no serious charge. These were focused on during the January talks also.
Addressing a press conference, Advani said, “The government conveyed to them on what has been done since the last meeting. The government wrote a letter to security forces in respect of ensuring no human rights violations take place even while discharging their duties.”
“The security forces must have a human face” with the ordinary civilians not falling victim to their bullets, Advani said.
Regarding Hurriyat leaders’ concern about release of political prisoners, Advani said, “I have been told by home secretary that 69 persons have been released so far.”
“The next meeting will take place in June after elections,” and formation of the new government, he said. Of late, the positive turn in Indo-Pak relations has added a new hope for Hurriyat leaders regarding solution of the Kashmir problem.
