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Before Kashmir visit, all-party delegation meets in Delhi to ensure consensus
Politicians set to visit Kashmir as part of an all-party delegation met in Delhi on Saturday to discuss the situation in the valley and the possibility of holding talks with people from various sections of society there.
Politicians set to visit Kashmir as part of an all-party delegation met in Delhi on Saturday to discuss the situation in the valley and the possibility of holding talks with people from various sections.
Home minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting and also discussed the itinerary of the Kashmir visit that begins on Sunday.
The home minister-led all-party delegation is expected to meet political groups, trade union leaders, civil society members and individuals to discuss ways and means of restoring peace in the valley caught in an unending cycle of violence triggered by the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani.
Read: We will march on path of development, trust in Kashmir and succeed: Modi
“Everyone gave their suggestions. When we return from Kashmir, this delegation will meet here again,” Singh said after the meeting.
The exercise was undertaken to ensure that all MPs speak in tandem and there is consensus among the lawmakers while speaking to a cross-section of people, aiming to bring peace in the state, a source told PTI.
The delegation comprises 28 MPs and some senior government officials. They include Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, and MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
“Channels of dialogue should be always open, the government of India needs to decide who the stakeholders are,” Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.
Life has remained disrupted in the Kashmir Valley for the last nearly two months amid recurring pro-freedom stone-throwing protests and counter-violence by security forces. At least 73 people, including two policemen, have been killed in the weeks of violence.
