Kashmir unrest: Rajnath to brief PM Modi about all-party delegation's visit

Srinagar: A day after an all-party delegation led by Rajnath Singh returned to the national capital from Srinagar with no breakthrough, the Home Minister will brief PM Modi about the visit at 11 am on Tuesday.

The all-party delegation met with limited success in Kashmir in their bid to end turbulence after the separatists refused to meet the MPs.

Unhappy at the stubborn refusal of Hurriyat leaders to meet some MPs who had literally knocked at their doors in Srinagar, Rajnath Singh said that their conduct was against democracy, humanity or even 'Kashmiriyat' (Kashmiri ethos).

The Home Minister disagreed with the view that the mission was a failure and said the delegation had "very good interactions" with individuals and groups.

Before winding up the Kashmir leg of the visit, Singh sent out a clear message to separatists, asserting that the state will "always" remain an integral part of India.

"There should be no doubt that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will always be integral part of India," he said at a press conference in Srinagar.

"As far as talks are concerned, our doors are open to everyone who wants peace and normalcy. Not only doors, even our ventillators are open for talks," Singh said.

He said he was aware that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had written letters to separatist leaders inviting them for talks with the delegation.

"I want to clarify that some members of the delegation had gone to meet Hurriyat leaders yesterday. Neither had we said 'yes' nor 'no' (to their meetings). Whatever happened you know about it. I do not wish to go into the details.

"But whatever information those friends gave us upon their return, it can be said it was not 'Kashmiriyat'. It cannot be called as Insaniyat (humanity). When someone goes for talks and they reject it, it is not 'jamhooriyat' (democracy) as well," he said. 

With PTI inputs