Don't let this hurt the peace process -- Hurriyat chief

Don't let this hurt the peace process -- Hurriyat chief
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 16: The attack at Srinagar airport is a reality check to all the parties involved in the Kashmir dispute but it shouldn't put any of the peace inititatives being made by India, Pakistan and the Hurriyat ``in jeopardy,'' Hurriyat chief Abdul Gani Bhat said today.

``We have to put up with such a situation,'' Bhat said referring to the attack. ``We know that the unilateral ceasefire alone cannot lead to what we all desire to see, that is peace. We have to be honest and pragmatic and have to address the root cause of the gun to silence it.''

Bhat said that the way out was only through ``a dialogue, a purposefuldialogue. The doors have to open.''

Sheikh Abdul Aziz, chairman of the People's League, and one of Hurriyat's seven executive members, alleged that custodial deaths were still taking place despite the ceasefire. Urging the Government ``not to waste time'' in releasing the passports, Aziz said: ``We will visit Pakistan, meet with the Pak establishment, the Opposition and our brothers and sympathisers there so that we can devise a strategy to strengthen the peace process.''