Channels of dialogue should always be open: Azad

Reiterating that the use of pellet guns must be stopped in Kashmir, the Congress Party on Saturday said that the government must initiate dialogue with all stakeholders to end the prevailing unrest in the valley.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, however, said it is for the Centre to take a final call on as to who are the stakeholders.

Talking to the media after the preparatory meeting of all-party delegation scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow, Azad said that the channels of dialogue should always be open.

"It's their work to identify them and talk. Should keep the doors open for all the stakeholders," he added.

Making his party's stand clear on the use of pellet guns in the valley, Azad pointed out that pellet guns have made a lot of damage in the past few months.

"Our stand still remains that pellet guns should not be used and should be avoided completely and should be replaced with less lethal options," he said.

Azad further said the all-party delegation is of the view that normalcy should be brought to Kashmir as soon as possible.

"The parliamentary delegation will go to Kashmir. We will meet everyone and we want to help them," he added.

A preparatory meeting of all-party delegation scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow was held here earlier in the day.

The delegation was made aware of the prevailing situation in the state and contours of the tour during which they will hold talks with a cross-section of people.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh and top officials were present in the meeting.

The prevailing ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, views of different stake holders, individuals and groups were conveyed to the parliamentarians during the meeting.

During the two-day visit, the MPs will interact with Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and will also be holding meetings with representatives of all political parties and other delegations in Srinagar to bring peace in the restive valley.

The valley is facing unrest due to protests in the aftermath of the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8.