New Delhi: As he embarks on a two-day visit to the troubled Kashmir Valley, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said he will hold talks with all stakeholders and those who believe in 'Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat' are welcome.
"I shall interact with civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders," he said on Twitter.
"Those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat are welcome (to hold talks with us)," Rajnath said ahead of his departure for the Valley.
This is the second visit of Singh in a month to the Valley which has been witnessing unrest since July 8 when Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces.
As many as 65 persons, including two cops, have been killed and several thousands injured in the clashes that began on July 9.
Reports on Tuesday suggested that Rajnath Singh has already held two rounds of talks with eminent citizens – mainly non-Kashmiri Muslims, to discuss a plan of action and seek their help in initiating a dialogue with Kashmiris.
The talks began on August 18, with the first meeting of 10 individuals being held in Singh’s office. The second was held on Sunday with 14 eminent individuals. Senior fuctionaries of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were also present at the meetings, said the report.
Singh told those present at the meetings that the government was working on a 3-stage plan to address the problem. He assured those present that the use of pellet guns would be ‘minimised’.
The 3-stage plan includes encouraging civil society groups to interact with youth in Kashmir, sending an all-party delegation to the state and examining the role of the clergy in spreading the message of peace.
But violence continues in the Valley, 45 days after Hizbul militant commander Burhan Wani was killed. In the most recent outbreak, at least 18 people were injured, 3 of them critically, after security forces fired live ammunition on protesters in Vihil and Nowgam areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday ahead of the Home Minister's visit.
