After the failure of the all-party delegation in making any headway in Kashmir because of the refusal of the separatists to talk to the team, it is back to square one in the state.
Following the setback, the Centre apparently considered pursuing a new tack by playing hardball with the Hurriyat conference. But this hasn’t found favour with the opposition parties. They continue to insist on meeting all stakeholders, even if the effort is yet to prove successful.
It is unlikely that this amiable approach will work because the Hurriyat appears to have decided, presumably at Pakistan’s behest, to use the unrest to raise the stakes to an unacceptable level.