“During his last visit, the home minister had categorically said that he would continue to visit Jammu & Kashmir for sustained interaction with its people”.
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Home minister Rajnath Singh will begin a two-day visit to Srinagar on Wednesday that will see him hold a fresh review of the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, and hold a second round of meetings with the state’s various stakeholders to hear their grievances and suggestions.
“We are aware that PM spoke about dialogue within the constitution but at this moment this is the maximum he can do”. Speaking at a function after inaugurating composite building for NSG in New Delhi today, Mr Singh said, the whole world has experienced terrorism and there is need for combined efforts. “Political leadership included”, a government source told IANS.
It has been learnt that Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officials will accompany the minister. Several prominent civil society groups and trader bodies had chose to boycott the visit of the Union Home Minister. Singh is also likely to meet representatives of various political parties seeking their feedback on the Kashmir situation. He may also hold talks with cross section of people.
The visit comes amid relative calm in parts of Srinagar for the fist time in 46 days on Tuesday, prompting the government to lift the curfew in some areas from 9 am to 8 pm The unrest started after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. The second was held on Sunday with 14 eminent individuals. Singh had said the central government will talk to whosoever needed once peace and normalcy is restored in the state.
BJP leader Ravinder Raina said that all stakeholders will be taken on board during the home ministers meetings.
“The All Parties Hurriyat Conference of Kashmir, which I chair, believes that a war is being waged against us by the “democratic” Indian state, in total violation of all democratic norms”.
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The opposition party also said that dialogue was the way forward for peace in the Valley and not guns, lathicharge or use of tear gas and pellet guns.
