'Mission Kashmir' to begin from Monday

With the government's 'special representative' on Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, set to begin his mission to explore a peaceful resolution in the insurgency-hit Valley from Monday, mainstream political parties on Saturday received formal invitations for meetings with the Centre's emissary.

However, main Opposition National Conference is  yet to receive a formal invitation. According to officials, Sharma, who will visit Kashmir for four days from Monday, has left it to the parties to decide the time of the meeting.

State Congress president G A Mir said they will discuss with the party leaders and decide on an appropriate time to  meet Sharma. "We are ready to talk to him and know what agenda he has come up with," Mir  said.

CPM state secretary M Y Tarigami, independent legislator Hakeem Yasin and heads of smaller parties have also received invitations from Sharma.

Despite a signal from the Union government on  its willingness to push for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue by appointing Sharma, former Intelligence Bureau chief, separatists have refused to talk to him. They have termed  Sharma's appointment "a new tactic" by New Delhi after it "failed in its muscular approach" in the troubled state.