All-party delegation meets 200 members in Srinagar, to visit Jammu tomorrow

The all-party delegation led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the first day of its visit here on Sunday met about 200 members in about 30 delegations from various sections of society and listened to their point of view to reach at a common solution to the current scenario in the state.

Before leaving for Srinagar, Singh had said, "We intend to talk to individuals and groups, who want peace and normalcy in the Kashmir Valley."

The delegation is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home Minister chaired the meeting of the all-party delegation that was also attended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

During the meeting, a detailed presentation was given by the State Government highlighting various issues related to the current scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and it was emphasised that a clear roadmap needs to be drawn with a focus on the way forward, said a press statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The meeting also stressed that the recommendations of the Working Groups and Parliamentary delegations need to be considered.

While interacting with the delegation, Mufti said, "Kashmir is a common issue of national interest and should not be viewed as a political issue." Mufti also thanked all the parties for visiting the state to listen to the problems of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

All the parties agreed to this fact and emphasised that steps need to be taken to restore normalcy and peace in Kashmir at the earliest, said MHA in the statement.

The delegation also met the representatives of various political parties, who expressed their concern over the injuries to civilians due to the use of pellet guns; to which, the Union Home Minister said the Government is already working on the alternatives to pellet guns such as PAVA shells.

National Conference led by Omar Abdullah, the Congress Party led by J-K unit president Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Peoples Democratic Party led by Sartaj Madni, Peoples Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone, Communist Party of India (M) led by M.Y. Tarigami, Awami Itihaad Party led by Er. Abdul Rashid, Peoples Democratic Front led by H.M. Yaseen, Democratic Party Nationalist led by Ghulam Hassan Mir and BJP led by state president Sat Sharma met the All Party delegation and expressed their views and ground-level experiences during the meeting.

In addition to the political parties, delegations of academicians, teachers and student associations, representatives of school management, prominent NGOs, representatives of Leh, Kargil, Pahari associations, Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Fruit and Saffron Growers associations, Civil Society etc. also met the delegation.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Welfare Association informed the delegation that they are willing to work with the Government of India hand-in-hand and shoulder-to-shoulder to bring normalcy in the state, says the MHA.

The delegation also met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra later in the evening.

On Monday, the delegation will visit Jammu after meeting different civil society delegations in Srinagar in the morning.