Need for sustained Centre-separatists dialogue: Omar

Asserting he would continue to bat for gradual revocation of AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said reluctance on the part of separatists to engage in dialogue with the Centre was a stumbling block in finding a roadmap for resolving the Kashmir problem.
"The Constitution of India provides framework for a dialogue with the separatists as their role in resolution of the issue (Kashmir) is important. They are on different page in contrast to mainstream parties whose views are candidly clear on the subject.
"But, the reluctance on part of the separatists to get engaged in dialogue is proving to be a stumbling block in finding a roadmap to the problem," Omar said interacting with a delegation of the European Union here.

He said his government was vehemently convincing the Centre to enter into a dialogue with the separatists and also engage Pakistan separately so that the long-pending political issues of Jammu and Kashmir were settled once for all.
Omar said he did not see any immediate headway in Indo-Pak or Centre-separatists dialogues for the fact that Parliamentary elections were on the cards.
However, he underscored the need for a positive and flexible approach by India, Pakistan and separatists to come on the same page to get the political issues of Jammu and Kashmir resolved politically.
"There is a need for sustained internal and external dialogue between the Centre and the separatists and the two neighbouring countries of India and Pakistan to resolve the K-issue once for all," Omar said.

On AFSPA, he said he would continue to bat for its gradual revocation from the state.