Shabir Shah wants Obama to intervene in Kashmir issue

Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah, who was today manhandled by members of BJP's youth wing at a press conference in Jammu, expressed hope that US president Barack Obama would intervene on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and press both India and Pakistan to hold a dialogue.

"At least he should facilitate dialogue between the two neighboring countries," Shah, who is also chairman Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) told reporters here.

"We never oppose talks but rather demand that result-oriented talks should be held between India and Pakistan on the issue," he said.

Shah said, "I do not want more battles to be fought on Kashmir and hope that India and Pakistan remain as brothers."

He said, "We do not want disintegration of the state and want all regions to remain united to find a lasting solution to the vexed problem."

On his refusal to meet the All Party Delegation, the separatist leader said that initially they wanted to meet me but I was disappointed to know that some leaders declined meeting me.

"I want to ask why did they do so when their towering leaders like Atal Behari Vajpayee and Jaswant Singh had no hindrance to meet me," he said.

On the selection of interlocutors, Shah said that there is a need of adding one politician in the team, as has also been demanded by the chief minister Omar Abdullah.

"The interlocutors must create such an atmosphere in the state before meeting every section of society," he said.

Earlier during the day, Shah was heckled by a group of BJYM activists during the press briefing here this afternoon.

Meanwhile, several groups and eminent personalities today said that Barack Obama should take up the Kashmir issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit.

"We ask that President Obama bring up the 'K' word, as Kashmir has been pejoratively labelled, in his discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India," a memorandum to the US president, signed by more than 25 groups and individuals said.

Prominent signatories to the memorandum include Angana Chatterji, a professor of Anthropolgy at California Institute of Integral Studies, Coalition of Civil Society, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir, Kashmir Bar Association, Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Council and Kashmir Minority Front.

"We ask that in seeking stronger relations with India, the United States should not compromise the rights of Kashmiri people or regional peace and security concerns in South Asia," the memorandum said.