The all party delegation on Kashmir, led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, has left for Srinagar as violent protests continue in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani in July.
Earlier on August 28, the 52-day long curfew was finally relaxed in the parts of Srinagar and other districts of the valley as a complete shutdown was observed on the call of Hurriyat leaders.
However, restrictions under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code or CrPC remain enforced which prohibits unlawful assembly of 10 or more people.
After the killing Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani in July, protests continue to batter the valley. On Saturday, the death toll rose to 71 as a youth died after sustaining pellet injuries in clashes between protesters and security forces in Qazigund area of South Kashmir.
Curfew-like restrictions remained in force in rest of Kashmir even as normal life remained paralysed for the 58th day.
Authorities had on Friday reimposed curfew in Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla and Pattan towns apart from some areas of Srinagar in view of apprehensions of violence after Friday prayers.
On Saturday, political parties called for holding dialogue with “all stakeholders”, including Hurriyat, to douse the unrest.
After a meeting held by the government to brief the lawmakers who are part of the 30-member delegation, leaders from Congress and CPI(M) said all stakeholders should be approached during the two-day visit of the delegation to Jammu and Kashmir beginning on Sunday.
“Government should invite Hurriyat for talks with the all-party delegation…. The invitation extended to others should be given to Hurriyat also. It is up to them whether they want to meet the delegation,” CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said.
“Should have been done 2 months ago but, let’s hope even now we can make a difference,” he added.
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Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is also a member of the delegation said, “I hope we will be able to find solutions,our delegation will be beneficial for Kashmir and for the country. Of course we won’t be able to take decisions on the spot but it will be an opportunity for parties and Kashmiri people to interact.”
J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also strongly pitched for talks with separatist leaders for peace in the Kashmir Valley.
“The country’s political leadership must, without any further delay, reach out and engage all sections of the society including the leaders of the Hurriyat Conference in a productive dialogue process to resolve the issue and make peace a reality in Jammu and Kashmir,” she said. (Agencies)
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