Geelani again rejects Dineshwar Sharma's talks offer

Senior hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Friday again rejected the fresh offer for talks by centre's special representative on sustained dialogue in Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma.

A statement, issued by G.A. Gulzar, spokesman of the Geelani-led Hurriyat, said: "All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Geelani has rejected talks offer with India by an IB (Intelligence Bureau) official and termed all these attempts as futile, saying it is nothing more than a tactic to buy time by New Delhi".

The spokesman disclosed that on Thursday night an IB official proposed a dialogue between New Delhi and Geelani, but the latter refused to talk, unless and until the Kashmir dispute is addressed in its historical perspective. He had also asked India to acknowledge the disputed status of Kashmir and begin demilitarization to hold a referendum.

Sharma had said on Thursday that his mandate for talks included everyone including the Kashmiri separatist leaders.

--IANS

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