Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said that the separatist Hurriyat leaders are ready for talks with the government. While speaking at an event in Srinagar Malik said earlier the same Hurriyat leaders were shutting their doors on dialogue but are now ready for talks with the government. Referring to Friday's statement by senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq where he expressed concern over the growing menace of drug abuse among the Kashmiri youth, the Governor termed it as a welcome statement.

During the event, Malik also distributed free-to-air Doordarshan set-top boxes to border residents in the valley. While addressing the gathering, Malik also hailed Farooq for speaking on the drug menace. Malik said Hurriyat’s proactive role in addressing social issues must be welcomed. News agency IANS also reported that Farooq was placed under house arrest on Saturday in Srinagar.

A spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said a police party arrived at the Nigeen residence of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on the city outskirts and informed him that he cannot move out of his house. The spokesman said the police did not give any reasons for placing the Mirwaiz under house arrest.

Even the Moderate Hurriyat Conference, earlier this week, had asked the prime ministers of India and Pakistan to use the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek to break the ice and resume engagement between the two countries. "We reiterate that political engagement is the most effective way to move forward and end the painful bloodshed in Kashmir. We urge India-Pakistan leadership to break the ice at SCO and engage with each other," Farooq had said in Srinagar.

He said the Hurriyat Conference is concerned and anguished over the continued bloodshed and killings across the Kashmir Valley. "People of Kashmir are suffering the consequences of the conflict for decades now," he added. Farooq had also expressed hope that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre will take steps for resolution of the political problem of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that he hoped that the "New Delhi's new ruling dispensation will take positive steps for resolution of the basic political problem and will work for its redressal to end uncertainty once for all." Demanding opening of traditional routes to facilitate travel and trade, Mirwaiz said all natural routes of divided Jammu and Kashmir should be re-opened so that people are allowed to connect with their loved ones.