Hurriyet leaders refused to talk to the MPs who had gone in their individual capacity and not as a part of the delegation from Delhi.
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“As far as talks are concerned, our doors are open to everyone who wants peace and normalcy”, the minister told reporters in Srinagar, according to television footage.
Sending out a clear message to separatists, asserting that the State will “always” remain an integral part of India, Singh said “There should be no two opinions that Jammu & Kashmir was, is and will always be an integral part of India”. We all want that things in Kashmir need to improve.
Reacting to Rajnath’s press conference, a spokesperson of the Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference said, “They never officially invited us and at the same time, blame us for rejecting it”.
“Once again cautioning the people in the power corridors of India”, the statement quoting the Hurriyat Conference as having said, “despite ruthless force and unparalleled atrocities, you couldn’t weaken the Azadi sentiment of Kashmiris for 70 long years and you cannot be able to do so in future as well”.
“The issue of use of mosques for hate speeches was put forth and we asked them to ensure that religious places (mosques) should not be used for delivering provocative speeches against our security forces and asking the people to attack them”, Gupta said.
“I am hopeful that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir will improve”, he said after meeting some “300 people including students, teachers, traders” during the delegation’s almost 30-hour stay in the valley.
Singh spoke of the delegation formulating an “action plan”, but did not reveal details.
The Home Minister also informed the gathering that Sanjay Roy from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been nominated as the Nodal Officer to address the grievances of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
On the first day of its two-day visit, the delegation met around 200 stakeholders representing 30 groups, including members of civil society, academics, teachers and fruit and saffron growers.
He said the country’s largest panchayat was Parliament and this panchayat was extremely serious about the situation in Kashmir. “Everyone wants normalcy”, he said while interacting with the media on Monday.
He said the Centre is giving full support to the state government which is also trying to bring improvement in the situation.
On the second day of its visit, the delegation visited Jammu where the members met over 200 persons in about 18 different delegations from various sections of society. They included trade lobbies, lawyers, hospitality industrialists and Kashmiri migrant Pandits.
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Kashmir has been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
