India-Pakistan talks: Separatists sulks, mainstream rejoices

Shock, surprise and anger has gripped the separatist camp after Pakistan openly snubbed its long term allies by skipping the vexed Kashmir issue during the talks with India in Ufa Russia on Friday. Anger was palpable in Srinagar on Friday when cadres of pro-Independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front took to streets in to protest against ignoring Kashmir issue in the talks.

Led by JKLF vice-president Bashir Ahmad Butt, the party cadres held protest demonstration at Jenab Sahib Soura against ignoring Kashmir issue in the joint declaration.

Shouting pro-freedom slogans, the JKLF workers condemned the two countries for skipping Kashmir issue in the joint declaration that followed the meeting between two premiers --Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif. "Kashmiris have their own 5000 year old civilization and we have rendered valuable sacrifices for our freedom. No one can ignore or bypass us for his or her pity interests", Butt said while addressing protestors.

Hard-line Hurriyat Conference led by pro-Pakistan hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani tried to play down the issue after being snubbed by Islamabad.

"We were not expecting any breakthrough in the talks. It is their diplomatic compulsion and nothing else. Talks have been happening in the past too. Our stand remains that unless Kashmir issue is solved according to wishes of its people, there cannot be good relations between the two countries", said Ayaz Akbar, spokesman of Geelani led Hurriyat.