Pandits unhappy at being left out of Kashmir talks

Kashmiri Pandits have expressed anguish on being ignored by the Centre, which has extended an invitation to the separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference for talks on the Kashmir issue.

After day-long talks on Sunday in Delhi between various organisations representing the displaced the Kashmiri Pandit community, they said the government's attitude, if persisted with, would have dangerous consequences.

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"Non-involvement of displaced Kashmir Pandits will render the whole talks process incomplete and meaningless," Dr Agnishekhar, national convener of Panun Kashmir, warned.

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani is slated to hold talks with Hurriyat Conference leaders in Delhi on January 22.

"The Hurriyat does not represent the people of Kashmir because it has no secular credentials. The Hindus, Buddhists and even large sections of the Muslim community does not recognise the Hurriyat Conference," Dr Agnishekhar claimed.

He also questioned Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's 'healing touch' policy. "The Kashmiri Pandits who should have been natural beneficiaries of any such policy have been left out while the beneficiaries are those who once wielded guns," he said.

He ruled out the return of Pandits to the Kashmir valley. "We want reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir and a homeland for the Pandit community," he said.