Government to brief MPs in all-party delegation to Jammu and Kashmir

MPs, who will be a part of an all-party delegation to Jammu and Kashmir, will be given a presentation on September 3 about the contours of the tour during which they will interact with a cross-section of people in an effort to bring peace in the troubled state. Official sources said Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju are expected to be present when top officials of the Home Ministry will make the presentation. The prevailing ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, positions and views of different stake holders, individuals and groups will be conveyed to the parliamentarians. The sources said the exercise is being undertaken to ensure that all MPs speak in tandem and there is consensus among the lawmakers while speaking to a cross-section of people. The meeting is expected to talk about possible individuals and groups with whom the delegation may interact during its tour to the state. The members of the delegation are free to meet anyone, including separatists, the sources said. However, Home Minister Rajnath Singh will meet only those who are ready to resolve all issues within the framework of the Constitution. During its two-day visit beginning September 4, the delegation will interact with individuals and groups aiming to bring peace in the Valley, which has been facing unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. The government has sounded out to different political parties to convey the names of their functionaries who will be part of the team. Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav and BSP leader Satsih Chandra Mishra are likely to be part of the delegation.