Rajnath may lead all-party team to Kashmir on Sep 3

New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) Home Minister Rajnath Singh islikely to lead the all-party delegation which will visit Jammuand Kashmir on September 3 even as the state continues to beon edge. As unrest in the Kashmir Valley continued for the 51stconsecutive day today, the Home Minister reviewed thesituation with top BJP and government functionaries. Singh went into a huddle with BJP President Amit Shah,Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State in the PMOJitendra Singh and discussed with them the modalities of theall-party delegation’s visit. Sources said the meeting discussed possible individualsand groups with whom the delegation may interact. The government has sounded out different political partiesto convey the names of their representatives who will be partof the delegation. When asked about what transpired at the meeting, JitendraSingh refused to elaborate, only telling reporters that"Rajnath Singh is a senior leader and we have come for’Margdarshan’ (guidance)". The meeting came on a day when Prime Minister NarendraModi spoke about the Kashmir situation in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’programme on All India Radio and a day after Chief MinisterMehbooba Mufti met him. The Kashmir Valley has been gripped by unrest ever sincethe killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July8. The Prime Minister said in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address thatany life lost in Kashmir, whether of any youth or any securitypersonnel, is the country’s loss. "’Ekta’ (unity) and ‘Mamata’ (affection) was the crux ofall interactions I had recently on Kashmir situation," hesaid. Modi said those pushing the youth towards stone pelting inKashmir will some day have to answer them. He also said that all political parties spoke in one voiceon Kashmir, sending out a strong message to the world as wellas the separatists. PTI ACB SKL KUN SKKUN