After remaining inside Hari Niwas Palace for two days, the Government of India’s interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma today stepped outside and met top mainstream leaders including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
According to source, Sharma, who has met dozens of delegations – most of whom were apolitical – in last two days, today called on Omar Abdullah at his Gupkar residence. Soon after the meeting, the NC working president briefed the media and said that Sharma sought a meet. He however said that none of his party leaders were present during the meeting as NC has not been formally invited for the talks yet.
The interlocutor also met CPI (M) State General Secretary Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami, Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) chief Hakeem Yasin and Democratic Party National president Ghulam Hassan Mir at communist leader’s residence. The trio presented series of demands before the interlocutor including holding talks with resistance camp as well as taking confidence building measures.
They, according to Tarigami, sought assurance over defence of Article 370 and Article 35A from none other than Prime Minister of the country. The interlocutor soon after meeting with Tarigami, Hakeem Yasin and Mir briefly spoke to media. He said that he hopes a political solution would come out through talks. Asked whether he will meet resistance leadership, Sharma replied by saying that he is trying his best to meet them.
The interlocutor also called on independent MLA and AIP chief Er Rasheed and State Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir. Sharma is expected to leave for Jammutomorrow where he is scheduled to stay for two days before heading to Delhi. During his three day visit in Kashmir so far, no resistance leader has met him as Joint Resistance Leadership had already made clear that they won’t meet Sharma. The Valley’s key trade, industry and civil society bodies also stayed away from dialogue. (GNS)
