Kashmiri separatists ask Centre to clarify on talks offer
Srinagar, May 29: The Kashmiri separatist leadership on Tuesday asked the Central government to clear the ambiguity in its offer of dialogue before the separatist leadership deliberates on joining these talks.
A meeting of the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), separatist conglomerate headed by Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, was held at Geelani's uptown Hyderpora residence on Tuesday.
A statement issued by the JRL here said: "The JRL held a detailed meeting and deliberated on the current prevailing political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The JRL while taking stock of the situation said the statements emanating regarding talks in the course of last few days from different people at the helm of affairs in New Delhi are unclear and ambiguous."
It pointed out that Home Minister Rajnath Singh said there should be a dialogue with both Kashmir and Pakistan but added that both parts of Kashmir belong to India while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj put a rider and said no talks with Pakistan unless terror is stopped.
Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah "gives a new spin by saying that the ceasefire is not for militants but for the people while state police chief issued a statement that the ceasefire has been announced so that the militants come back home".
"All this ambiguity leaves little room to consider the talk about talks seriously with a purpose or warrant a response. The JRL wants to put all this in perspective and once again reiterate our stand.
"Stakes for the people of Kashmir are very high. We have invested heavily in our struggle for right of self-determination and we cannot afford to be part of an ambiguous effort that has no clarity and direction," the statement said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
3 Indian students among those injured in Australia’s Bondi Beach attack
Melbourne (PTI): Three Indian students were among 40 people injured in the terrorist attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia, according to a media report on Tuesday.
Two out of these three students are believed to be receiving treatment in the hospital, The Australia Today news portal reported.
The names of the Indian students injured during Sunday's attack have not been disclosed yet.
ALSO READ: Affront to non-Hindi speaking people: Chidambaram slams use of Hindi words in bills' names
The Indian students sustained injuries during the shooting, and their exact condition has not been formally confirmed yet, it said.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50, opened fire on a gathering during the Jewish festival Hanukkah by the Sea celebration.
At least 15 people were killed in the attack, including a 10-year-old child. Five of the injured remain in critical condition, while two injured police officers are in serious but stable condition, it added.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the investigation is expanding as new information emerges, including international travel by the alleged attackers and the discovery of extremist material, the report said.
