On November 23, Bondevik met Geelani and Mirwaiz at Hyderpora residence of Hurriyat hawk while JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik couldn't attend the meeting as he was under detention.
Former Norwegian prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has become the new player to embark on a 'Mission Kashmir' to break the ice on the Kashmir tangle.
After meeting Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) including Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Bondevik visited Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and met its president Masood Khan. This sent the political spectrum in a tizzy over Bondevik's mission.
"What are the Norwegians up to in Kashmir? Would either Sushma Swarajji or Dovalji care to put the visit of the former Norwegian PM to both sides of the divided state in the correct context or do we have to rely on rumours & conjecture?," tweeted Omar Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference vice-president.
On November 23, Bondevik met Geelani and Mirwaiz at Hyderpora residence of Hurriyat hawk while JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik couldn't attend the meeting as he was under detention.
"Geelani and Mirwaiz told Bondevik that Centre has kept the Kashmir issue lingering over the past seven decades which has resulted in enormous miseries for the people that include killings of people and the youth," a JRL spokesman said.
According to him, Bondevik, known for mediating between LTTE and Sri Lankan government, assured that they would use their good offices to ensure a sustained and result-oriented dialogue between India and Pakistan to find a amicable and long-term solution.
What added a curious dimension to the whole saga was that the delegation of former Norweigian prime minister had also the representative of the Art of Living.
Later Bondevik flew to Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, where he met its president Masood Khan and discussed the issue. He also held meetings with Hurriyat leaders of PoK chapter.
"Pakistan and Azad Kashmir (PoK) welcome former Norwegian PM's interest in finding a resolution to the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. We assure full support to his initiatives," Khan said.
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