Even as the Hurriyat Conference went public with its decision to start a dialogue with New Delhi, rebel leader and hawk Syed Ali Geelani slammed the overture saying ‘‘bilateral discussions’’ between Delhi and Kashmiris would only result in the repeat of the ‘‘sell-out’’ 1975 accord — the agreement reached between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah. He made a strong case for the inclusion of Pakistan in talks and demanded a public admission by Delhi that Kashmir was a disputed territory. ‘‘India should talk first to Pakistan. We wouldn’t shy away from dialogue if they adopt a natural process, that is by starting to talk to Pakistan,’’ he said at Baramulla’s largest mosque. Taking a snipe at the faction of Hurriyat Conference led by moderate cleric Molvi Abbas Ansari, Geelani said separatists with ‘‘huge support base’’ should become a part of the dialogue process and not the ones who ‘‘command no one.’’ ‘‘I am not claiming that I command the support of the whole of Kashmir. But leaders with public backing should be involved in talks at a later stage after India and Pakistan start the process,’’ he said. He reminded the audience of the duty of guarding the sacrifices of ‘‘martyrs’’ killed in the 14-year insurgency. Geelani didn’t spare Prime Minister Vajpayee either. He also ridiculed the PM, saying: ‘‘Vajpayeeji, who participated in the polls? There was a boycott and even if some people did vote, does that mean Kashmir problem is over? It’s no argument to say we held successful elections, it a baseless and vague argument on part of Vajpayeeji.’’ MEANWHILE; Militant trapped to surrender
