The usual stand taken by the separatist organisation is that any meaningful talks should be tripartite involving India, Pakistan and the ``genuine representatives'' of the Kashmiri people meaning the Hurriyat itself. But talking to The Indian Express, Hurriyat leader Umar Farooq said Pakistan could be brought in at a later stage.

Umar Farooq, the acting chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, however, denied that his organisation had received any feelers from the Centre for talks. ``We do not believe in secret diplomacy,'' he said.

``We are the representatives of the people so there is no room for secret negotiations,'' he added.

Dispelling reports that the Indian Government had embarked upon behind the bar talks with jailed Hurriyat leaders throughintermediaries, Umar said ``nobody has contacted them'' (jailed leaders).

But how about talks? ``We have not received any official invitation for that from the Government of India. But we are always ready to discuss the issue for permanant resolution of the dispute. If Hurriyat is approached, we will deliberate on issue keeping in mind the aspiration of various constituents of the Hurriyat since we are a coalition,'' he explained.

``Our demand is that Government of India should first accept the Kashmiris as a party to dispute. The negotiations can begin directly. The solution can be worked out in phases,'' he said.

Without the involvement of Pakistan? ``Pakistan can be engaged at a later stage. In the first phase the negotiations can be held without their involvement,'' Umar stressed.

Though the Hurriyat leader did not spell it out, it usually implies that the organisation is not willing to go along with the condition that any talks are held within the framework of the Indian Constitution.

Howevernegotiations ``without the involvement of Pakistan in the first phase'' marks a great shift to the conglomerate's stand that talks should be held involving the two countries and Kashmiris.

Behind the bar talks is being discussed with great interest in political circles in the state. As per unconfirmed reports, the Government of India has opened an unofficial channel for talks with the jailed Hurriyat leaders.The government, in this connection, has entrusted the Union Law Ministry to monitor the talks. The role of the intermediaries as per the reports is being played by Kuldeep Nayar, former ambassador and veteran journalist, Syed Shahabuddin, former ambassador and professor Saifuddin Soz. Senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone is also said to be involved in the process. It is also reported that the secret talks enjoy the blessing of the United States and Britain.

The entire Hurriyat top brass, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, professor Abdul Gani Bhat, Yasin Malik, Javid Ahmed Mir, Moulvi Abass and several othershave been jailed under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in various jails of the country. They were arrested for anti-election campaigning during the latest parliamentary elections.

SSP escapes attack
SRINAGAR: A senior superintendent of police (SSP), Baramulla, Abdul Qayoom Manhas had a providential escape when militants attacked his cavalcade by firing from automatic rifles near Chunud village in Baramulla district last night. Four security personnel escorting the police officer were injured in the attack, the spokesman said.