Deputy Mayor facilitated Bondevik’s meeting with Hurriyat

Srinagar, Nov 30: The meeting between the former Prime Minister of Norway Kjell Magne Bondevik and separatists was to initiate a dialogue for peace and change, Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran says.

Sheikh, a businessman, had recently said that he was instrumental in organising Bondevik’s meetings with separatists and others such as bar association and business chambers.

Talking to The Kashmir Monitor, he said, “I believe dialogue the only way forward.”

“We have to go to every table and to every door. Peace and change can be brought, keeping in view the sacrifices, aspirations and sentiments of the Kashmiris,” he said.

Sheikh, who contested the recently-held ULB polls as an independent candidate, said he has been getting an overwhelming support from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living.

“He has been more than helpful Last time when I invited him, he came along with his colleagues. This time also, there had been a back process which he started, I took that forward as per the programme,” he said.

“I got a call from Bangalore, when Bondevick was there. Bondevick came here. There were some meetings to be done, which I got done,” he added.

He said it was known to everyone what happened to the agitations of 2008, 2010 and 2016.

“Who broke the agitation? Today’s youth understands everything. The roadmap has to come from people,” he said.