Will Peace Return to the Kashmir Valley?

Will Peace Return to the Kashmir Valley?

The ruling BJP government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, has sent an all-party team to Kashmir for a two-day visit (September 4-5, 2016).

However, it is largely believed that it will turn out to be a futile exercise because the team members are planning to tackle the issue in traditional ways that failed in the past.

India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh is leading the all-party delegation which is meeting different stakeholders in Kashmir in an attempt to bring peace to the valley.

Rajnath Singh said that we intend to talk to individuals and groups who want peace and normalcy in the Kashmir valley.

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During the first day of its visit, according to a government statement, the delegation met about 200 members in about 30 delegations from various sections of society and listened to their point of view to reach a common solution to the current scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.

Heading to Srinagar with the All Party Delegation. We intend to talk to individuals & groups who want peace & normalcy in the Kashmir valley

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 4, 2016

The Home Minister chaired the meeting of all-party delegation which was attendend by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ms. 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.

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It was emphsasised that a clear roadmap needs to be drawn with a focus on the way forward. It was also stressed upon that the recommendations of working groups and parliamentary delegations need to be considered.

While interacting with the delegation, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti said that Kashmir is a common issue of national interest and should not be viewed as a political issue.

The all-party delegation also met the representatives of various political parties that expressed their concern over the injuries to civilians due to the use of pellet guns. The Home Minister said that his government is already working on the alternatives to pellet guns such as PAVA shells.

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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 & Saffron Growers associtions, Civil Society, and others also met the all-party team visiting Srinagar.

According to the government, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Welfare Association informed the delegation that it is willing to work with the Government of India to bring normalcy in the state.

The delegation will visit Jammu today after meeting different civil society groups in Srinagar in the morning.

Photo courtesy: Press Information Bureau