Hurriyat should come forward if they are well-wishers of JK people: Madni

Calls Rajnath’s statement positive step, Says ceasefire brings relief among people

Srinagar, May 28 : Calling Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh’s statement over dialogue with Pakistan and Hurriyat as ‘a positive step’, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice president, Sartaj Madni on Monday said that Hurriyat should come forward for dialogue if they are well-wishers of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, Singh had said that if Hurriyat leadership is ready to come to the table for talks, the government is ready for it. “If Hurriyat is ready to come to the table for talks, we are ready for it. However, as on date, there is no indication from them to this effect,” Singh had said.
He had also said that New Delhi is ready to hold talks with Pakistan if it comes forward to hold talks. “To not welcome anyone who wants to talk, is not the right thing,” home minister told in an interview with National TV channel.
According to the KNS correspondent Zahoor Indrabi, addressing party workers convention at Chawalgam Kulgam Madni said, “The Rajnath Singh’s statement is a positive step and also vindicate the stand of our party (PDP). Earlier parliamentarians visited the state but the doors were closed for them following which Dineshwar Sharma also tried to pave way for a dialogue. Now, this statement is a positive step.”
He said that “if the Hurriyat leadership is well-wishers of people of Jammu and Kashmir then they should come forward now to have a dialogue to resolve the issue.”
Asked about ceasefire, Madni said that a few attack amid ceasefire has taken place as the militants have not reciprocated but at the same time Government of India’s initiative has brought relief among the people of Kashmir in the sacred month of Ramadhan.
He further stated that the government is for the people and if GoI feel that their initiative has brought relief among the people then they should extend the ceasefire further.
Asked about Nihama Kulgam incident where Army allegedly went ‘berserk’ on last Friday and damaged property worth lakhs, PDP senior leader stated that the party has always condemned such actions. “We will try to put an end of such actions by the forces,” Madni added.