Interlocutors planning maiden visit to JK on Oct 23

The three-member group of interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir is planning its maiden visit to the state on October 23.

The three-member group of interlocutors for Jammu and Kashmir is planning its maiden visit to the state on October 23.

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The interlocutors comprising eminent journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, noted academician Radha Kumar and Central Information Commissioner M M Ansari are likely to visit the state for a week beginning Saturday.

"We are planning to visit Jammu and Kashmir from October 23 for a week," Ansari told PTI.

The group which met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today is likely to meet BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitely tomorrow. The group is also likely to meet leaders of other political parties.

After meeting the Prime Minster, the group called on Sonia Gandhi at her residence 10, Janpath and were with her for more than half-an-hour.

"We apprised her of our strategy to meet people of all shades of opinion in the Valley which she appreciated. She also extended her moral support to our endeavours," Ansari said.

He said the group will try to understand aspirations and problems of all sections of society including students, women and rural folks.

The team had said its talks would be comprehensive and that it would engage in dialogue with all shades of opinion. It, however, noted the mission will be a "difficult" exercise.