Geelani sets dialogue conditions with New Delhi

SRINAGAR - Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani Tuesday said the dialogue offer by the central government would be accepted only after Kashmir was accepted as a disputed territory by India and the international community.

The chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat group addressed a media conference at his uptown Hyderpora residence and said the separatists would engage in a dialogue with New Delhi only when his conditions were met.

He also demanded that the process of demilitarization be started in Kashmir under the supervision of the United Nations.

“All the draconian laws extended to Kashmir must be withdrawn, political prisoners should be released, cases against them should be withdrawn and those among the army, paramilitary forces and the local police involved in murders should be booked to create the right atmosphere for a meaningful dialogue process to begin here,” Geelani said.

The Kashmir Valley has virtually remained shut for over two months because of curfews and separatist shutdowns. As many as 65 people have lost their lives in the ongoing unrest here that started June 11.