MHA not approached on planned Kashmir conclave: official

The Home Ministry has no information about a national conclave on Kashmir reportedly being planned here by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav as part of peace efforts in the valley.
"We have no knowledge about the conclave on Kashmir. We have read it in the media only. No one has approached the Home Ministry," a ministry official said today.
There have been reports that Sinha and Yadav met on Sunday to chalk out plans to bring together different groups working on Kashmir for a national conclave this month.
The meet will attempt to seek a "unified voice" on resolving the Kashmir unrest and restoring peace.

Both Sinha and Yadav were part of separate delegations which met separatist leaders in the valley last year.
Leaders from all parties, including the ruling BJP, are expected to be invited for the conclave, which is likely to be addressed by experts, activists and writers.

There have been spiralling protests in the valley with students, including girls, seen pelting stones on security personnel in these incidents.
There was massive violence during the April 9 bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat in which eight people lost their lives in more than 200 incidents.
Kashmir has been on the boil since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter in July last year. More than 90 people lost their lives, while scores of security personnel and civilians were injured in protests that followed Wani's killing.