The larger message that the Centre seeks to send out to the Valley through Singh’s visit is that the Modi government is firmly backing J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti, sources said.
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In their meetings, the opposition leaders submitted separate memorandums, urging the Centre to start a dialogue with all stakeholders for resolving the political issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh’s visit comes after a series of meetings of J&K’s opposition leaders, led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah, with President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
Curfew was also relaxed in parts Srinagar on Tuesday after 45 days of restrictions.
At least 68 people, including 66 civilians and two policemen, have died in the violence in the valley since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was killed by security forces.
One protester was killed on Wednesday in fresh clashes with security forces armed with shotguns in Indian-administered Kashmir which is reeling from weeks of deadly violence, police said.
According to data available with the home ministry, the number of security personnel injured stand at 5,197 at the moment.
Some of the activists who met the Home Minister told IANS that possible solutions to the present Kashmir situation were discussed at length in a “very open environment”. The government also intends to rope in the clergy to spread the message.
“It was a long and comprehensive discussion and a lot of things were discussed”. Those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat are welcome, he tweeted.
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Singh had said the central government will talk to whosoever needed once peace and normalcy is restored in the state.
