The Interlocutors

The Centre has appointed a group of three interlocutors to hold sustained dialogue with all sections of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. They are, Dr. Dileep Padgaonkar, a noted journalist, Prof. M.M. Ansari, Information Commissioner and Prof. (Mrs) Radha Kumar, trustee, Delhi Policy Group. Dr. Dilip Padgaonkar will chair the meetings of the Group.

The three interlocutors appointed by the Govt. have been entrusted with the responsibility of undertaking a sustained dialogue with the people of Jammu & Kashmir to understand their problems and chart a course for the future. All the three interlocutors have done credible work in public life and bring with them significant understanding of political and economic issues, specially in the context of Jammu & Kashmir. The Govt. hopes that after inter-acting with all shades of political opinion they will suggest a way forward that truly reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, specially the youth.

Shri Dileep Padgaonkar is a journalist, editor and author. He worked in various capacities in journalistic field including Executive Editor and Editor of the Times of India. He is presently with the Asia Pacific Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Prof. M.M. Ansari is currently Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission, New Delhi. He has the background of an Economist and Education Specialist and has served several institutions in senior positions and provided research and consultancy service to national and international organizations

Prof. (Mrs) Radha Kumar is Director of the Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Jamia Millia Islamia University and trustee of the Delhi Policy Group. She is a specialist on ethnic conflicts and peace processes and has held several important positions in the international bodies dealing with peace studies and conflict resolution.

Keeping in view the immediate objectives to maintain peace and order and defuse the situation in J&K through confidence building measures, Government of India had taken certain decisions and one of the decisions was to appoint a Group of Interlocutors under the chairmanship of an Eminent person to hold a sustained dialogue with all sections of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.