New Delhi: Terming as "cowardly" the attack on Hurriyat leader Fazal Haq Qureshi, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said the Centre was committed to finding a solution to the Kashmir issue through quiet talks with every shade of political opinion in the state.
Chidambaram said he was deeply distressed by the
attack on Qureshi, who is now battling for his life in a
hospital in Srinagar. The Hurriyat leader was seriously
injured in an attack by militants yesterday.
Lambasting those behind the attack, he said in a
statement here that, "These are the elements which, in the
past, have pushed Jammu and Kashmir to the brink of a crisis.
It is also clear that these elements act at the behest of
forces that are inimical to India".
He said the attack was a cowardly attempt by those who
do not wish that the problems of Jammu and Kashmir are
resolved through talks.
The Home Minister said the correct response at this
hour was not to be cowed down by these violent acts or allow
fear to interrupt the process of quiet talks and diplomacy.
"I assure the people of Jammu and Kashmir that we
remain committed to finding a solution through quiet talks
with every shade of political opinion in Jammu and Kashmir,"
he said.
"My prayers as well as those of all peace loving
people are with him (Qureshi) and his family, and we sincerely
hope that he will recover," the Home Minister said.
Chidambaram said he was happy to read the statements of
Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and others who have vowed
to continue their efforts to find a peaceful solution to the
Kashmir issue through talks with the Centre.
PTI
