Srinagar:
The government's team of interlocutors has met with a very rough reception, both in and outside Kashmir.
On the second day of their trip to the valley, the 3-member team today went to the jail in Srinagar to meet youth jailed for stone-pelting. They also met terrorists . "We met hardened terrorists belonging to extremist militant organizations. The feeling - you ask them - but the important thing is they agreed to be part of the dialogue, " said Dileep Padgaonkar.
But face-offs which have dogged their visit continue to raise questions on the authority of these interlocutors. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to attacked Padgaonkar for reportedly saying Pakistan's involvement was required for a permament solution to Kashmir.
"What is the Pakistan dimension that Padgaonkar is referring to? We want to know whether he has overstepped his brief, if so we demand a clarification from the PMO, If the interlocutors start on this note it raises a lot of questions," Nirmala Sitharaman, the BJP spokesperson said.
Padgaonkar defended his statement, "I have stated the obvious. I have been told I have crossed my brief. There was no brief - the brief was to engage with all shades of opinion."
And the reception for Padgaonkar and his team has been cold, if not hostile, even in the Valley. The separatist Kashmiri leaders have refused to meet them. "Appointment of interlocutors is not going to serve any purpose and we are not going to meet them, " Mirwaiz Umer Farrooq told NDTV.
The delegation of Parliamentarians, who went to the valley last month, called on the separatist leaders, but the interlocutors say they won't go univited.
Unified Headquarters meeting in Sringar
Meanwhile, as the interlocutors begin listening to all shades of public opinion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will preside over a Unified Headquarters meeting in Srinagar on Monday to take stock of the security measures
Unified Headquarters meeting comes close on the heels of the Core Group meeting on Saturday chaired by 15 Corps Commander Lt. General NC Marwah.
Intercepts and intelligence reports indicate some well-trained militants have managed to sneak into the state, and another 80-100 well-armed militants are waiting along the LoC to infiltrate.
The Unified HQ will discuss specific counter-strategies and measures to prevent attacks in populated areas.
On the second day of their trip to the valley, the 3-member team today went to the jail in Srinagar to meet youth jailed for stone-pelting. They also met terrorists . "We met hardened terrorists belonging to extremist militant organizations. The feeling - you ask them - but the important thing is they agreed to be part of the dialogue, " said Dileep Padgaonkar.
But face-offs which have dogged their visit continue to raise questions on the authority of these interlocutors. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to attacked Padgaonkar for reportedly saying Pakistan's involvement was required for a permament solution to Kashmir.
"What is the Pakistan dimension that Padgaonkar is referring to? We want to know whether he has overstepped his brief, if so we demand a clarification from the PMO, If the interlocutors start on this note it raises a lot of questions," Nirmala Sitharaman, the BJP spokesperson said.
Padgaonkar defended his statement, "I have stated the obvious. I have been told I have crossed my brief. There was no brief - the brief was to engage with all shades of opinion."
And the reception for Padgaonkar and his team has been cold, if not hostile, even in the Valley. The separatist Kashmiri leaders have refused to meet them. "Appointment of interlocutors is not going to serve any purpose and we are not going to meet them, " Mirwaiz Umer Farrooq told NDTV.
The delegation of Parliamentarians, who went to the valley last month, called on the separatist leaders, but the interlocutors say they won't go univited.
Unified Headquarters meeting in Sringar
Meanwhile, as the interlocutors begin listening to all shades of public opinion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will preside over a Unified Headquarters meeting in Srinagar on Monday to take stock of the security measures
Unified Headquarters meeting comes close on the heels of the Core Group meeting on Saturday chaired by 15 Corps Commander Lt. General NC Marwah.
Intercepts and intelligence reports indicate some well-trained militants have managed to sneak into the state, and another 80-100 well-armed militants are waiting along the LoC to infiltrate.
The Unified HQ will discuss specific counter-strategies and measures to prevent attacks in populated areas.
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