Centre’s Kashmir interlocutor N.N. Vohra today indicated that he had held talks with separatists secretly while he engaged in a dialogue with various mainstream political parties. This could make a section of political opinion in the state see his mission — which had been criticised for keeping away from the secessionists — in a different light.Without naming any separatist group or individual, Vohra claimed he had held talks with ‘‘people who matter in Kashmir’’ but said all these people wished anonymity. ‘‘Certain people held meetings with me but they pleaded anonymity. These are the people who matter in Kashmir,’’ he said. ‘‘So please don’t ask me to elaborate. It will be a breach of trust.’’Vohra said Kashmir was more than a political issue and was linked to issues like ‘‘cross-border infiltration, terrorism, sustenance of militants by Pakistan, operational functioning of security forces, lack of employment and problems of alienation from a disturbed situation’’.He said though the process of holding a dialogue would continue, he would be talking to those ‘‘who are aggrieved, unhappy and dissenting and whose faith and belief is contradictory to our perception’’.‘‘I would be visiting Kashmir again to carry forward the dialogue process. We will meet them, we will come again and talk to everybody,’’ he assured.Replying to a question, Vohra said the Centre should have no hesitation in declaring a ceasefire in J-K if the ground situation so warranted. He pointed out that ceasefire and non-initiation of combat operations have been announced in the past. ‘‘People of Kashmir are fed up with violence and want to lead a peaceful and dignified life,’’ he asserted.Commenting on Pakistani Prime Minister Zaffarullah Khan Jamali’s conversation with Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on phone last night, Vohra said it was a significant development and hoped this time the process would move forward.‘‘Earlier Vajpayee took several measures for peace and prosperity (between the two countries), like the Lahore Bus Yatra and Agra summit, but it did not help. Vajpayee gave a message from this soil and it evoked a positive reaction from Pakistan,’’ he said. Vohra disclosed that during his visit to Kashmir, he met around 30 political, non-political and non-governmental organisations besides 117 individuals.‘‘What I observed from my consultations with the people is that the Kashmiris are fed up with violence, they are disenchanted with the gun culture. They want an end to harassment from any quarter. The people are now seeing a ray of hope and want to live a dignified life,’’ he said.Vohra defended his decision not to extend any formal invitation to any groups, particularly the Hurriyat. ‘‘Taking into consideration the past experience of K.C. Pant, I thought it better to use the media and give an open invitation to all people, including those who have a different perception, for the discussions. And this paid, evident by the fact that so many organisations met me and enriched my knowledge,’’ he claimed.Replying to a question, he said when Vajpayee had announced that Vohra would come with envelopes carrying invitation, he was not referring to a specific invitation to any quarter. Observing that the Assembly elections in J-K were free and fair, Vohra said in parliamentary democracy people who are elected are supreme. ‘‘Being the representatives of the people, we ought to talk to them and listen to their point of view. In the context of Kashmir, no one can claim to be the sole representative,’’ he said.
