Srinagar: The Congress Policy Planning group, headed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will visit Kashmir valley on September 16 to interact with different sections of society to ascertain the situation on the ground.
However, the group will visit Jammu region on September 10 and discuss various issues confronted by people in the winter capital.
Senior Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra, confirming the dates of visit, welcomed the decision of his party to send its Policy Planning group to the state next month.
Congress’s policy planning group on Kashmir is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir next month for discussions on current situation in the state with different sections of the society, party workers and opposition parties. The group would be headed by Dr Singh.
Mr Karra said that it is an attempt of ‘handholding’ from the Congress party and imbibing sense of self of confidence in the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Karra added that considering the situation in Kashmir and the absence of any reconciliation on ground, he had suggested, the visits should be scheduled by or before August 27 prior to the Supreme Court (SC) hearing on Article 35-A petition.
But, he said the visit was scheduled in September because the hearing has been deferred in the SC. “Kashmiris have been marginalized with divisive politics of PDP- BJP combine and reaching out to them in the time of distress was indeed a much needed step,” he alleged.
He said that sending the team to Kashmir was also significant because BJP government has shut the doors for negotiation and has left no room for any kind of outreach therefore Congress endeavor is worth appreciation.
While lauding the efforts of the members of Policy Planning group, Mr Karra said that all these leaders have been working extensively for bringing change in Kashmir situation and the instant was part of that process. He hoped, the process would continue and the people of state are heard at a time when Government has shut the doors for any kind of outreach.
