Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today announced that the Centre would soon initiate a dialogue with the elected representatives of Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of peace in the state. Addressing a crowded Press conference, after chairing a meeting of the Combined Unified Headquarters, Advani said those who could not either participate in the elections or get elected could also be roped in but the state government needed to be consulted on the issue.He recalled the commitment of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee from Red Fort on Independence Day that a dialogue would be held with the elected representatives of the state after holding free, fair and transparent elections.Advani refused to comment on the pre-condition of the Hurriyat Conference for holding a dialogue only after they were allowed to visit Pakistan. About India’s dialogue with Pakistan, he said the Prime Minister had initiated a sincere and earnest process two years ago which perhaps no other country could have started so forcefully.The Dy PM said the recent elections had presented a new opportunity for restoration of peace in the state and Central assistance would always be forthcoming. He said though security forces were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, restoration of peace was not entirely the domain of the Centre or the state.This largely depended on the attitude of Pakistan, he stressed, expressing concern over revival of terrorrist camps, the spurt in militancy and pushing in infiltrators from across the border. He added that three-fourth of the infiltrators were foreign mercenaries.Though militancy had been on a decline because of international pressure after the elections, there had been a spurt in violence since the third week of last month, he pointed out. He said the militants were indulging in demonstrative acts like killing of a legislator, children and women and the attack on the Raghunath temple.In reply to a question, Advani said the international community was not keen on exerting pressure on Pakistan beyond a point for the fear of a change in government.The Dy PM described the recent elections as most credible, a fact that was universally acclaimed. He said he derived satisfaction from the belief of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the strength of Indian democracy that entitled them to elect or oust a government. Condemning the Pak threats during electioneering, he recalled how both participants and voters had been threatened to keep them away from the democratic process. But the people were not deterred and ‘‘because of the people’s response, I treat it as a unique opportunity for peace’’.Governor Girish Chandra Saxena, CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Defence Minister George Fernandes and Dy CM Mangat Ram Sharma were present at the Press conference.
