Kashmiris will realise Centre's seriousness to end unrest through Rajnath visit, says ex-diplomat

Former diplomat N.N. Jha on Wednesday said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the valley will make Kashmiris realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's seriousness about dealing with the ongoing unrest.

"It is fruitful in the sense that we make them realise that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister and the entire Government of India are serious about resolving this. But to think that it will immediately stop stone pelting, it would not happen, because Pakistan has invested too much on it," Jha told ANI.

With the pressure mounting on the Centre to send an all-party delegation to Kashmir in an effort to end the present crisis, Singh will today be visiting the valley.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officials will also accompany him.

It is speculated that the Home Minister will meet Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and other senior officers to review the law and order situation.

Rajnath is also likely to meet representatives of various political parties to seek their feedback on the Kashmir situation.

Members of various political parties had on August 12 suggested that the government send an-all party meeting delegation to the valley to pacify hurt sentiments and bring the situation under control, but a step is yet to be taken in this direction.

As many as 65 people have been killed and thousands, including security forces, left injured in protest-related violence triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8.

A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir opposition parties also met President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to apprise them of the ground situation in the valley, while urging them to take measures to mitigate the ongoing crisis.