Will acknowledge positive steps by New Delhi to resolve Kashmir issue

Contrary to his rigidity over holding dialogue with New Delhi, hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani on Wednesday said they will acknowledge every positive step by Indian leadership that leads to the final resolution of Kashmir issue.

"We are in dire need of peace and hence welcome all steps leading to lasting solution and stability in the region," Geelani said during his telephonic address to a protest demonstration against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to London.

A statement issued here by the Hurriyat quoting the octogenarian separatist leader said, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir are peace-loving, and Indian leaders can play a key role by respecting their aspirations, instead of adopting coercive measures."

In the past, Geelani had categorically ruled out talks with the government of India "unless it accepts Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory."

Last month, the Hurriyat hawk claimed that an Intelligence Bureau official visited his uptown Hyderpora residence with an offer of talks with the Centre but that he refused to engage in any talks and termed it a "futile attempt".

In his telephonic address on Wednesday, he claimed that New Delhi was trampling on basic norms and ethics of the Indian Independence Act of 1947, against the wishes of people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"People are being traumatised, tortured, intimidated, caged, harassed, women molested and people irrespective of age and gender subjected to political vengeance. We are a peace-loving nation and we never derive pleasure even if an Indian soldier dies, but contrary to this, their brute forces enjoy and become jubilant whenever they kill our youth and innocent people," Geelani claimed in his address.