Government ready to hold talks with political parties, moderate groups in Kashmir: Rajnath

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the government is ready to hold talks with political parties, moderate groups and others in the Kashmir Valley. Replying to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the situation in Kashmir yesterday, he said government has also decided to call an all-party meeting on the issue tomorrow. It will be attended by the Prime Minister. On the demand for sending an all-party delegation to Kashmir, the Minister said he will speak to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and ask her to prepare ground for it.

Blaming Pakistan for the trouble in Kashmir, Rajnath Singh said, whatever is happening is Pakistan-sponsored. He asserted that talks, if any with the neighbouring country, will be on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and not on Indian part of Kashmir. He dismissed rumours that Kashmir will be handed over to Army after the end of Amarnath Yatra. 

The Rajya Sabha appealed to all sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir to work for an early restoration of normalcy and harmony in the Valley. In a



unanimous resolution passed after a six-hour discussion over the prevailing situation in Kashmir, the Upper House of Parliament resolved to restore the confidence among the people, particularly the youth through a political process. 

It also expressed its deep anguish and concern over the loss of lives and critical injuries due to the deteriorating situation and vowed to instill faith among people of the Valley. The resolution called for taking urgent steps to restore order and peace for alleviating the sufferings of the people without compromising national security. 

Earlier, the Opposition parties unequivocally demanded sending an all-party delegation to the Valley to quell the over month-long unrest. They also sought banning the use of pellet guns against protestors. Initiating the discussion, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the situation is indeed serious and it needs to be tackled unitedly. Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) asked the government to start a political dialogue on Kashmir.