India ready for conditional dialogue with separatist: PM

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Tuesday that his government was ready to carry forward the dialogue process with separatists in case they shun the violence.

"We are ready to talk to representatives of every section who are opposed to militancy and violence," Singh said while addressing the convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Srinagar.

Singh arrived Srinagar, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir Monday on a two-day visit to the region to review security scenario and development works.

Separatist strike against Singh's visit to the region affected normal life in the Muslim majority areas of the region. Shops, business establishments, government offices and educational institutions remained closed in the valley. Traffic was off the roads. At many places in Srinagar protests against violations were staged by people.

The strike was called by a hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Adequate security arrangements were made in the region ahead of this high-profile visit to ward off militant attacks.

Singh's talks offer is not expected to make any difference, for separatist and militant groups have been demanding withdrawal of troops from cities and towns and release of political prisoners prior to initiation of any talks.

According to India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) reports, Singh Tuesday reviewed security and developmental scenario of the region in meetings with region's chief minister and other officers.

Officials said Singh will leave the region later in Tuesday afternoon.

Source: Xinhua