J&K people favour unity,political settlement: Interlocutors

“However,if they don’t come forward we will still submit our report on the basis of interactions we have had with people from various walks of life,” Padgaonkar told

reporters in Jammu.

He said the panel has laid down a “roadmap” for the Centre to carry forward the suggestions that have been made by it.

To a question about demands for trifurcation of state,Padgaonkar said that people are against the division of the state and want it to remain united.

He said the last meeting between foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan “gives us hope that there will be movement forward in weeks to come towards a peaceful

resolution of the situation”.

Radha Kumar,a member of the interlocutors’ panel,said that “everybody in the state is looking for solution that will accommodate each aspiration to largest possible extent”.

“They are looking for a practical,feasible,workable solution. That is something very unusual. They (people) have such practical,feasible,imaginary and visionary approaches,” Kumar said.

Asked about the outcome of the various interactions and round table conferences,Padgaonkar said,“As far as commonalities are concerned,first and foremost,everyone is convinced that only way to achieve a political settlement is through a process of dialogue.”

He said that there is a clear understanding that militancy and violence have not served any purpose and have worsened the situation.

“Second view is that there is need to maintain the integrity of state. The third commonality is the need for power sharing between regions and sub-region and within region to communities,” he said.

Interlocutors have undertaken 10 visits to Jammu and Kashmir covering 18 districts,met 550 delegations of political parties,academicians,NGOs,social,religious

organisations and civil society,besides newly elected panchayat members.

“The fourth and most important is what has happened in past 20 years,everybody agrees to the need to restore the tolerant and pluralistic culture of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

On whether they “felt embarrassed” after the separatists declined to meet them,he said,“We are not embarrassed. They (separatists) too have constraints and

compulsions. But they alone can decide what and where to talk to us. As I said if they come forward (for dialogue) it will enrich our report.”