Burhan’s father denies AoL visit was for J&K talks

SRINAGAR: The father of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani denied he was directly or indirectly involved in any talks on Kashmir.

Muzaffar Wani, who met the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at his ashram in Bengaluru last week, said he was in the city for diabetes treatment in Sri Sri Rama (Ayurvedic ) hospital. Muzaffar said he chose to stay in the ashram instead of the hospital as he “feared for his safety’’.

In a statement to the media, Muzaffar said he discussed the situation in the Valley with the spiritual guru. “Sri Sri Ravi Shankar asked me to suggest something for restoration of peace in Kashmir. Just in my individual capacity, I advised him to impress upon the central government to initiate a multilateral dialogue with Pakistan, Hurriyat Conference and the representatives of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladhakh regions of Jammu and Kashmir. I also made it clear that the current phase of struggle is non-violent and not part of armed struggle,” he said.

SHANKARACHARYA FOR A ‘PLEBISCITE’

MATHURA: Goverdhan Peethadhishwar Shankaracharya Adhokshjanand Devtirth on Sunday favoured “plebiscite” on both sides of Kashmir for a “permanent solution” of the problem. “A plebiscite under the supervision of UN representative and guarded by UN forces should be held on both sides,” he said. PTI