"PM Modi's speech from the Red Fort has given our team fresh courage to find answers to Kashmir imbroglio. But our efforts should not be seen in connection with the government or the BJP," said Dr Khan.
Three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said from the ramparts of Red Fort that solution to Kashmir lies in "embracing" the people rather than by use of force or bullets, a four-member team of civil society representatives, led by Dr MJ Khan, is heading to the Valley to build bridges.
"PM Modi's speech from the Red Fort has given our team fresh courage to find answers to Kashmir imbroglio. But our efforts should not be seen in connection with the government or the BJP," said Dr Khan.
The team, which has politician Shahid Siddiqui, Justice Ishrat Masroor Quddusi and West Asia expert Qamar Agha as other members, is in touch with both PM Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other key stakeholders, and will embark on a three-day visit to Srinagar and possibly troubled South Kashmir on Saturday.
"This is the beginning of our long drawn out plans to bring normalcy in the Valley. The recent expose of Hurriyat leaders has created a lot of anger among people in Kashmir who are finding themselves duped by the separatist leaders. We consider it the right time to lend ears to the Kashmir's voice," said a member of the team.
The team intends to meet Ulemas (scholars of Islam) of Sufi tradition, civil society groups, businessmen and women groups to find out what do they want to bring peace in Kashmir. Besides, it will also meet key officials in J&K government to resolve small but important issues.
"The idea is to build bridges between the common people and the government and other stakeholders so that common Kashmiris can have a better life," said the member.
"We have good contacts in South Kashmir too, where people are fed up with the continuing militancy and are yearning for peace," he said.
The team wants to make some serious initiatives in the field of education that has taken a bad seat in Kashmir due to continuing militancy and is in touch with DPS and Amity besides the Ministry of Minority Affairs to open at least 20 schools in the Valley to provide quality education.
"The standard of government-run schools in Kashmir is very bad because of Jamaat's influence. Instead of learning constructive things, the youth are being taught divisive politics that turns them into stone-pelters," he said.
The member said they are in touch with Army chief Bipin Rawat also, who has agreed to provide free medical treatment to children and common people injured in clashes and Army action against the terrorists.
The team is also trying to rope in Azim Premji Trust to make wider outreach in the field of education and employment.
On a mission
The idea is to build bridges between the common people and the government and other stakeholders.
The team wants to make serious initiatives in the field of education that has taken a back seat in Kashmir.
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