SRINAGAR: The All-party Huriyat Conference announced on Nov.7, a negotiated settlement of the 25dayold Hazratbal imbroglio was possible only if the Government softened its stance and agreed to accommodate its views.
Confirming that Abdul Majid Wani and Nurul Hassan had held talks with the militants at their instance, the Huriyat leaders, however, set certain conditions which, they believe will allow for talks leading to a solution.
Maulvi Abbas Ansari, speaking on behalf of the Huriyat, told reporters that evening that a dialogue with the Government was possible only if the “rigid attitude” of the authorities was dispensed with.
The situation at the shrine remained unchanged with Mahmudur Rehman, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and official negotiator, supervising distribution of 80 food packets as per the orders of the Supreme Court. The official negotiator had talks with some of the civilians who came out of the shrine to pick up their food packets.
On behalf of the Huriyat, Maulvi Abbas alleged that the stationing of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel close to his Nawa Kadal residence had not permitted a proper meeting of the Huriyat leaders, which was left incomplete as a consequence.
According to the Maulvi, ever since Wajahat Habibullah, the erstwhile chief negotiator, met with an accident on Nov.4, there had been no talks between the militants and the new Government representative Rehman.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 12, 1993
