The Hurriyat Conference said on Friday that its talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on September 5 will be 'Kashmir-centric' and will focus on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, release of prisoners and human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told reporters in Srinagar said they will talk on every issue in a phased manner. He said continuity of the talks was important and hoped to have fruitful discussion with Dr Singh. Earlier, addressing a Friday congregation, he said Kashmir was not a boundary issue but political one and talks would not be about capture of power or to secure a political or economic package.
"Kashmir is a political issue and it should be resolved politically," he said. "Kashmir is not a boundary dispute between the two countries. It is a long-standing problem involving the future of Kashmiris who want it to be resolved in accordance to their wishes and aspirations."
The Hurriyat announced a five-member delegation led by Mirwaiz for talks with the centre. The other members included Abdul Gani Bhatt, Maulvi Maulana Abbas Ansari, Bilal Gani Lone and Fazal Haq Quereshi.
Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat's purpose behind initiating the talks with India and Pakistan was to find an honourable and just solution to the Kashmir issue. Terming Singh's invitation for talks as a positive step, he said that they lost no time in accepting it.
On the ongoing India-Pakistan talks, he said positive signals have emerged and the two countries agreeing to more confidence-building measures will help ease the tension and pave the way for resolution of Kashmir issue. However, he emphasised that Kashmiris should be involved in the talks.
Recalling the visit of Hurriyat delegation to Pakistan in July, he said they had made it clear on Pakistani soil that they were prepared to talk to India.
Seeking the support of the people, he said, "We are leaving for Delhi on your mandate. We want you to remember us in your prayers and pray for the success of the dialogue".
He said the Hurriyat delegation will brief the people on the outcome of the talks with Dr Singh.
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