The BJP on Sunday said Home Minister Rajnath Singh had come to the Valley with an “open mind”, and expressed confidence that his meetings would bring about a resolution to the problems in the strife-torn State.
“Singh has already said he has come with an open heart and mind to talk to people. He will speak to anybody who comes to meet him,” State BJP general secretary (organisation) Ashok Kaul told presspersons here.
Mr. Kaul added that all sections should meet him and put forth their points of view.
“His meeting with the people will help resolve the problems in Kashmir. It will be an achievement,” he said.
Ahead of his visit, the Home Minister had said, “I am going with an open mind and I am willing to meet all those who come to meet me. We want a resolution to the problems.”
Challenges galore
National Conference representatives from Leh and Kargil met Mr. Singh and highlighted pressing issues in the areas.
“The representatives raised challenges faced on the connectivity, communication and infrastructure front, and sought that the Central government resolve these issues that are a cause of great misery and inconvenience to the people,” the spokesman said.
They said the exorbitant airfare to Leh round the year, especially when the road-link is closed, is a source of great misery and sought a reasonable airfare policy for such hilly areas.
They also highlighted poor and in certain places defunct quality of the BSNL network connectivity. They reiterated the long-pending demand of a functional civil airport in Kargil and interim, adequate winter air connectivity arrangement that would enable the district to explore its maximum economic and tourism potential.
A Peoples Democratic Party delegation, led by party vice-president Sartaj Madni, also called on Mr. Singh and conveyed the party’s views on many issues. At an interaction with Central Reserve Police Force personnel, Mr. Singh said the government has launched a “Bharat Ke Veer” programme to support martyrs’ kin.
Premium on courage
“The nation is supporting the courage of our security forces. We are proud of our CRPF personnel. Courage cannot be purchased from any market and you are born with unassailable and unmatched courage,” he added.
The Home Minister later presented a memento the CRPF team which took part in operations in Pulwama recently.