Srinagar, Dec 6 (KNS): The former interlocutor Radha Kumar on Wednesday termed the decision of releasing the first time stone pelters ‘encouraging’ for the return of peace in restive Kashmir Valley. She however underlined the need of not setting any pre-conditions to hold dialogue with the separatist groups.
Radha Kumar told KNS over phone from New Delhi that when she along with the two others including Dilip Padgaonkar and MM Ansari were deputed to Kashmir as Centre's interlocutors after 2010 unrest, the amnesty at that time too was given to the first time stone pelters and also some political prisoners too were released then. "To everybody including us, there is nothing new in freeing the stone pelters. It will help in bringing the normalcy back but other measures too are needed that could ensure the everlasting peace in Valley,” Radha told KNS.
She added further that there is a need for not setting any pre-conditions for the dialogue as this is the only way forward to achieve the long-lasting peace. “I think people should now simply ignore the years old rhetoric and decide to move ahead. They have to understand that there is no way to achieve the objective other than holding dialogue and strive for peace in Valley that has been witnessing bloodshed and uncertainty since long,” Radha Kumar said.
She added that the claims of ‘integral part or complete Azaadi’ should act as hurdles in holding talks with the separatists. “If everyone is yearning for peace then these pre-conditions shouldn’t act as the stumbling blocks in the process.” (KNS)