The Centre told the Supreme Court today that it will hold no talks on resolving the unrest in Kashmir with separatist leaders or people who demand ‘azadi’.
The Centre’s statement came when the apex court was hearing a petition filed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association's plea against use of pellet guns in the state.
The Association wants the Centre to hold talks with Hurriyat leaders. To that, the Centre told the top court that it will talk only to those persons who are legally permitted to represent the state’s people.
On this, the SC asked the J&K High Court Bar Association to submit the names of relevant people who can hold talks with the Centre.
The Supreme Court said that it would tell the armed forces and police in the state to suspend the use of pellet guns if the petitioner gives an undertaking that there will be no stone pelting.
The top court told the petitioner JK HC Bar Association that the first positive step forward must come forward from its side.
The court then scheduled May 9 as the date for the Bar Association to talk to stakeholders listed by the Association and to get back to it on the issues discussed.
The case was filed in the wake of the several lives lost during last year unrest in the Kashmir Valley.
The division bench of the Supreme Court had, in December last year, admitted the petition for hearing and directed the Central Government to submit the report of the team of experts constituted on the use of pellet guns before the court.
Earlier in July 2016, the Centre constituted a team to recommend suitable replacement for the pellet guns.
A seven-member expert committee set up for exploring other possible alternatives to pellet guns as non-lethal weapons submitted its report to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi in August.
