People in J-K are against bifurcation or trifurcation: Dilip Padgaonkar

Srinagar, Sep 21 (ANI): The chief interlocutor for Jammu and Kashmir, Dilip Padgaonkar, on Wednesday said the response they have received so far from the people suggests they are opposed to the bifurcation or trifurcation of the state.

The three-member team of interlocutors comprising Dilip Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and MM Ansari has so far met 700 delegations and covered 19 of the 22 districts of the state.

"We have also learnt from people we interacted with in the state that they are against any kind of trifurcation or bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. If anything, they look forward to a closer working relationship, to begin with, with people on the other side and this is again going to be part and parcel of the recommendations that we will be making," said Padgaonkar.

"We've reached out our hand to them. They have refused to clasp it. What the reasons are, they alone can tell. So, I think you should address your questions regarding their non-engagement with us, to them not to us," he added.

Padgaonkar said the final report that they would submit to the Central Government on October 12 would encompass every aspect of the research that they have conducted in the last few months.

"Our recommendations are aimed at addressing the political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Those political aspirations come along with several other aspirations - economic, social and cultural, but the focus of our endeavor has been to seek a permanent political settlement in the state," he added.

Padgaonkar further said that the recommendations would not favour any minority or majority or any particular issue, as the issues concerning the people are not one but many.

The three-member team of interlocutors has so far submitted a number of recommendations to the Central Government, including expediting cases of under-trials, permitting peaceful protests and releasing militants and protesters against whom there are no serious charges.

The restive region has witnessed numerous militant attacks, insurgency, and infiltration attempts from across the border in the last two decades. (ANI)