Rajnath to visit Srinagar today

Exercise aimed at resolving problems

 For the second time in a month, Home Minister Rajnath Singh will fly to Srinagar on Wednesday with an aim to create an atmosphere for talks to resolve the problems dogging Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision on Singh’s two-day visit came on Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hinted at a fresh dialogue to find a “permanent and lasting” solution to the problems in Jammu and Kashmir within the framework of the Constitution, while meeting the state’s Opposition leaders.

The home minister first visited Srinagar on July 23 to review the security situation and speak to various stakeholders to find peace in the state rattled by protests over the killing of self-styled Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

According to a spokesperson, Singh will attend various meetings and host different delegations at Nehru Guest House in Srinagar.

During his last visit, too, Singh had stayed in the guest house, instead of the Raj Bhavan, in an attempt to send a message about his intention to listen to all shades of views. Ahead of his visit, the Ministry of Home Affairs has already sent 26 companies (2,600 personnel) of the Border Security Force to Kashmir and 30 additional companies are ready to be deployed in the Valley in the coming days.

In Srinagar, Singh will meet Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and top government officials to review the security situation in the state.

He will also keep his guesthouse doors open to various stakeholders to meet him for talks, official sources said.

During his meeting with the Opposition leaders on Monday, a “deeply concerned and pained” Modi said there “has to be a dialogue” and emphasised the need for all political parties to work together to find a solution to the problems in Jammu and Kashmir.

The continuing protests, which have so far claimed at least 65 civilian lives and injured hundreds, with several suffering eye injuries from pellet guns, have triggered an alarm in the security establishment. The BSF has been re-deployed in the Valley after 11 years.

On agenda

The home minister will attend various meetings and host different delegations in Srinagar.

 Ahead of his visit, the MHA has already sent 2,600 BSF personnel to the Valley.

He will meet Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and government officials and review the security situation.

Curfew relaxed

Curfew was relaxed in parts of Srinagar on Tuesday for the first time since July 9. At least 15 people were injured in fresh protests in some parts of Kashmir, where restrictions prevailed for the 46th day. See P8