Rajnath Singh to visit J&K

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) next week and meet stakeholders in an effort to reach out to people in the conflict-hit state. The three-day trip is likely to be scheduled between September 9 and 11.

Singh's visit may overlap with the Congress delegation's trip, led by former prime minister Manmohan Singh and including party leaders such as P Chidambaram, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Ambika Soni.

Singh's visit gains significance in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on the Independence Day that hugs, and not bullets or abuses, are the solution to the Kashmir problem. The Home Minister will visit Jammu, Srinagar, and Leh, and meet with civil society members, leaders of political and social organisations and business leaders, sources said.

Singh will also receive people's representation on how to bring peace in the region. The minister will also meet Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and civil and security officials. Singh had said on August 19 that a solution to the Kashmir problem will be found before 2022.