Kashmir unrest: Separatists should be isolated, dealt with separately, say MPs at all-party meet

The all-party delegation, which recently visited Kashmir to find a solution for restoring peace in the Valley, said on Wednesday that the PDP-BJP government in the state has failed to tackle the situation amicably.

Pic Courtesy: ANI

New Delhi: The all-party delegation, which visited Kashmir last week to find a solution for restoring peace in the Valley, said on Wednesday that the PDP-BJP government in the state has failed to tackle the situation amicably.

Today's all-party meeting is being attended by  26 lawmakers from 20 parties who made up the all-party delegation that visited Jammu and Kashmir last week. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is chairing the meeting while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is also attending it.

During the meetings, the delegates suggested isolating the Kashmiri separatist leaders for their continued anti-India stand.

Separatists should be isolated and dealt with separately, the NDTV quoted the all-party delegation members as saying during the meeting.

The delegation further accused the state leaders of giving false and misleading statements about situation in Kashmir.

The delegates also demanded a relief package for those killed in the Kashmir unrest, and reiterated that the use of pellet guns should be stopped.

During today's meeting, the Centre is also likely to review facilities, including top security, provided to Kashmir separatists.

The all-party delegation will also assess the situation in Kashmir and chalk out a future strategy.

Ahead of all party meeting, Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a crucial meeting in New Delhi yesterday, which was attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP chief Amit Shah, Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh and BJP general secretary Ram Madhav.

The meeting came close on the heels of Home Minister`s return from Jammu and Kashmir after wrapping up his two day visit to troubled Kashmir.

Talking to reporters after the meeting Ram Madhav said, the meeting deliberated on the Kashmir situation and that future course of action will be decided after the all party meeting to be held today.

The Home Minister also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in Kashmir and apprised him about the ground situation of the state assessed by the all-party delegation led by him.

Before winding up the visit in the Valley, the Home Minister sent out a clear message to separatists, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir will always remain an integral part of India.

He, however, said as far as talks are concerned, doors are open to everyone who want peace and normalcy.

Divulging detail of the meeting in Jammu, the Home Minister said, "As many as 200 people comprising 18 delegations interacted with the all-party delegation. They expressed their concerns over the situation in Kashmir and were of the opinion that the problems in the Valley should be resolved at the earliest. Besides, they also merited the attention of the all-party delegation towards the problems of the Jammu region."

Hurriyat leaders SAS Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had refused to meet a group of the all-party delegation that went to Srinagar to hold meetings with all the stakeholders in the state.

However, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik met with the delegation.

The delegation was in Srinagar on Sunday and had visited Jammu before returning to Delhi.