All-party delegation to visit Kashmir

NEW DELHI: An all-party delegation will visit Kashmir in the first week of September in stepped up efforts by the government to end a wave of violence that claimed

NEW DELHI: An all-party delegation will visit Kashmir in the first week of September in stepped up efforts by the government to end a wave of violence that claimed the life of another youth in the valley on Friday.

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The decision to send the team came a day after Union home minister Rajnath Singh ended a two-day visit to Kashmir, announcing the government’s willingness to speak to “anybody” and promising an alternative to pellet guns which have left hundreds of people with eye injuries.

“The exact date of the visit and composition of the delegation will be finalised after consultation with all political parties,” said a senior government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to sound her out about the all-party delegation’s visit, chief minister The Allahabad HC, however, denied relief to Ikhlaq’s brother, the prime accused in the cow slaughter case that led to the Dadri resident’s lynching. Mehbooba Mufti might push for release of separatist leaders to enable them to hold rallies, which will allow protestors to vent their anger democratically.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Shakeel Ahmad Ganai was killed when security forces fired on a group of protesters in Pulwama district.

The death toll since the killing of militant leader Burhan Wani rose to 69 even as the valley remained under curfew for the 49th day.

( With inputs from HTC, Srinagar)