Invite Hurriyat for talks, announce CBMs: Yechury

New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) The CPI(M) today said that thegovernment should invite Hurriyat Conference for talks withthe all-party delegation and announce confidence buildingmeasure during its visit to Kashmir. Coming out of a briefing held by the government formembers of the delegation, CPI(M) general secretary SitaramYechury said, "Government should invite Hurriyat for talkswith the all-party delegation" when it visits Kashmir fromtomorrow. He also suggested that confidence building measuresshould be announced during the visit of the delegation. An interactive session to brief MPs who will be part ofthe 30-member all-party delegation was held today to make themaware of the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir andcontours of the tour during which they will hold talks with across-section of people. The prevailing ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir andpositions and views of different stake holders, individualsand groups were conveyed to the parliamentarians. The exercise was undertaken to ensure that all MPs speakin tandem and there is consensus among the lawmakers whilespeaking to a cross-section of people, aiming to bring peacein the state, sources said. The CPI(M) and CPI will also hold consultations withcivil society members and intellectuals to seek their viewsover the issue today. "…we should address the trust deficit among people ofKashmir and, therefore, we should meet all the stakeholderswithout any pre-condition and hear them and then try to findsolution," Yechury had said yesterday. The delegation, to be led by Union Home Minister RajnathSingh, will visit the Valley on September 4-5. During the visit, it will hold discussions with Jammuand Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftiand representatives of all political parties in the state. The source said the members of the delegation are free tomeet anyone, including separatists. However, Home Minister Rajnath Singh or any other centralminister will meet only those who are ready to resolve allissues within the framework of the Constitution. The Kashmir Valley has seen possibly the longest spellof protests for over 50 days in which 70 people have losttheir lives so far. PTI ACB/NABRT