Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Public Works and official spokesperson of the state government, Naeem Akhtar, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept his promise by appointing a special representative for Kashmir.
Terror threats loomed large as the Centre's interlocutor for dialogue with stakeholders in Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, arrived here on a five-day visit. Nine delegations and individuals met him on Day One, sources said.
These include Youth Sports Forum Qamarwari, Students Association Pattan, Youth Sports Fraternity, Gujar Association, Peace Forum Ganderbal and Youth Forum Kupwara, besides others. He is scheduled to stay for three days and meet a cross-section of society and different political parties.
"The hope of resolution via dialogue has been rekindled in J&K. I am optimistic that parties and organisations in J&K will not miss this opportunity to be a part of peace parley", tweeted J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti.
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Public Works and official spokesperson of the state government, Naeem Akhtar, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept his promise by appointing a special representative for Kashmir.
"The appointment of former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as the special representative reflected what the Prime Minister had said on Independence Day – neither 'goli' (bullets) nor 'gaali' (abuses) can solve the Kashmir issue, and that it can only be addressed by embracing Kashmiris", he said
While the government hopes that Sharma's efforts will break the ice, intelligence inputs received by security forces indicate that militants might step up violence to scuttle the dialogue process in Kashmir.
Security forces are suspecting a spurt in grenade attacks on security forces and shoot-and-scoot attacks by militants to create an environment of fear and overshadow the dialogue process in the Valley.
"There is an input that there may be grenade throwing and there may be hit-and-run attacks on CRPF and police. Whenever steps are taken which lead to peace, the enemy does not like it", said Ravideep Singh Sahi, inspector general of CRPF.
Sources said security forces have been put on the maximum alert to thwart militant designs and ensure peace in the restive Valley.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani asked people to disassociate themselves from pro-Indian politicians, "who are bargaining and exploiting the sacrifices for their personal gains".
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