Start talks with separatists in J-K: Yashwant Sinha panel to govt

November 08, 2016 18:47

The government should hold talks with all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir including separatists at the earliest besides taking other measures including ban on use of pellet guns and rehabilitation package for those

injured in the unrest, a report by a group of private citizens led by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yashwant Sinha recommends.

The delegation, which comprised intellectuals, released the report today to the media and spoke about the nature of meetings it held with separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other mainstream politicians.

The report was released by Programme Director of Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation Sushobha Barve, who was part of the delegation. It said Geelani and Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq "talked of being prepared for an unconditional dialogue" and it was not within the competence of the group of citizens to suggest "when or if such a dialogue process should be started".

"However, what we would like to emphasise is that we noted an overwhelming sentiment amongst the Kashmiris we interacted with for setting up a permanent process of dialogue with New Delhi.

"One of the reasons why so many doors were opened for us by the separatists and ordinary Kashmiris alike was because they saw our visit as a beginning of engagement with ordinary Indians," the report said, adding the agenda of alliance of the BJP-PDP coalition government also commits to a dialogue with all the stakeholders.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

76 Indian military personnel replaced by civilians: Maldives

However, the Maldives government has no intention of removing the doctors from India at Senahiya, a media report said.

England's pace great Anderson to retire from Tests in July

James Anderson will retire from Test cricket after the first match of the series against West Indies at Lord's this year.

EPL PIX: Gvardiol brace sends Man City to top

IMAGES from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday.

Nadal still unsure on French Open participation

Rafael Nadal said he was still in two minds about whether he will play in the French Open.

Modi will continue to lead: BJP rejects Kejriwal's claim

Senior BJP leaders, including Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, asserted on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will complete his full term if elected to power, refuting the Aam Aadmi Party's claim that Modi wants Shah...