Kashmir leaders end conference with call to reduce violence

The four-day meet held behind closed doors in Kathmandu was a rare chance for separatists from both sides of divided Kashmir to discuss the Himalyan region's future among themselves.

"The conference attended by 50 individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan discussed ways of ending more than five decades of conflict and establishing a secure and prosperous future for the peoples of this vital region of South Asia," said Paolo Cotta-Ramusino, secretary general of the International Pugwash Foundation which organized the meet.

"For the first time in many years, members of political parties, non- governmental organisations and civil society from both sides of the Line of Control were able to meet each other in an atmosphere of trust and reconciliation," Cotta-Ramusino told reporters.

Pugwash holds conferences around the world to seek solutions to global problems.

He said the participants discussed issues in a closed forum to hear different viewpoints.

"The meeting did not adopt any resolution as it was not intended to put specific proposals for the parties to decide on the Kashmir issue," he said.

Pugwash, which is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, hopes to hold further meetings, but hasn't set a date or venue.

"This open hearted discussion among the participants is expected to help a lot in building confidence among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, promoting contacts and communication between all parties concerned over the issue lingering for the last 57 years," he added.