Srinagar: Government of India (GoI) appointed interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma arrived in summer capital on Monday, Srinagar, on a five day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to hold talks with all stakeholders on Kashmir.
Mr Sharma, former chief of Intelligence Bureau (IB) arrived here on a maiden visit after his appointment as interlocutor to start the multi-layered dialogue process.
He will stay in the Valley for three days while spend two days in the Jammu region to start the dialogue process with various political parties, socio-cultural organisations, individuals and opinion makers. However, this time he will not be visiting Ladakh region, official sources told UNI.
He has already send invitation to different organizations, particularly mainstream political parties.
he Central government appointed interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma Monday reached Srinagar on his four day visit.
During the visit, Sharma, the former IB Chief, will be meeting around 60 delegations.
Sources told KNS, that on the first day around 13 delegations, which were all non-political, met him and put forth their views.
It may be mentioned that Hurriyat Conference, considered a key stakeholder, has refused to be part of the dialogue process citing it a “futile exercise”.
Main Opposition National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has termed Sharma’s appointment as waste of time.
Sharma was accorded ‘Z’ category armed security cover which means he would be secured by commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) whenever he travels to any part of the country. The CRPF has a special unit that provides armed VIP security to about 70 dignitaries at present.
Sharma, an old Kashmir hand in the country’s internal intelligence agency, enjoys the rank and status of a cabinet secretary. Union Home minister Rajnath Singh had said that Sharma would decide whom to engage with for a resolution of the Kashmir issue.
The separatist organizations, besides civil society and Bar Association have already announced that they will not meet Mr Sharma.
The main opposition National Conference (NC) has also questioned the mandate of Mr Sharma told hold talks on the Kashmir issue. However, the NC has time and again said that granting autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir was the only solution to the problem.
However, ruling PDP-BJP coalition government has welcomed the appointment of interlocutor, describing it a very bold and good step. (CNS)
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