The All-Party Delegation today wound up their visit to Kashmir with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh dodging questions on whether the Centre is examining the proposal of granting “autonomy” to the state. “Those who want peace and normalcy, we are ready to talk to them”, Singh said after leading separatist figures shut the doors on him and others accompanying him. “Our door is wide open for talks”, he added.
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“Some members of the delegation met Hurriyat leaders and that the government neither approved nor disapproved of the same”. Neither had we said yes nor no.
How can 12 people representing different political parties and point of views be able to communicate anything coherent to all-party delegation in such short time, they asked. The home minister further said that there is no doubt that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.
“There is no need to drag outsiders into the internal matter of the country”, Mr Singh said. “It should instead become serious in finding a peaceful and long- lasting solution to the vexed Kashmir issue and initiate steps for its resolution, which would not only help in restoring peace in Kashmir but also create an environment for development and prosperity in entire South Asia”, it said in a statement.
Top separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik and Syed Ali Geelani, on Saturday refused to attend talks with non-BJP MPs like Asaduddin Owaisi, CPI (M)’s Sitaram Yechuri, CPI’s D Raja and Janta Dal United’s Sharad Yadav.
“My advice to all those who are continuing violence is that talks are the only way to address all issues”.
Rajnath Singh’s clearance of the use of chilli grenades for crowd control ahead of the all-party delegation’s visit has not mollified Kashmiris.
Immediately after the press conference, the delegation left for Jammu in a chartered flight for a brief interaction with the people there.
Panun Kashmir, an organization representing Kashmiri Pandits, also boycotted a scheduled meeting with the all-party delegation, condemning the lawmakers for “begging before separatists” for a meeting.
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.
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Before the state’s finance minister, Haseeb Drabu, made the presentation, Mufti said false propaganda was being created around the ongoing crisis in the region. Mr Singh said, Centre is making all efforts to bring normalcy in the state and is fully cooperating with the State Government.
