LD ALLPARTY 2

Talking about the motive behind the visit, the Home Talking about the motive behind the visit, the HomeMinister said Parliament, which is the supreme "panchayat" ofthe country, is very serious about the situation in Kashmirand hence decided to send a delegation of its members fortalks. The entire country and Parliament are pained by thesituation in Kashmir and want early restoration of peace, hesaid. Asked whether India plans to talk to Pakistan on Kashmir,Singh shot back, "First let us talk to Indians." When asked whether the Centre is willing to go the extramile on the demands of autonomy raised by PDP and NationalConference from time to time, he said, "We are not concernedwith whatever one had said in the past. We have takeneveryone’s view and cooperation to improve the situation inKashmir in the delegation-level talks." To a query about possibility of ‘Track-2’ talks onKashmir, Singh said he did not wish to enter into a debateabout "track-one, track-two or track-three." The Minister said during his previous visit last month,concerns had been raised over the use of pellet guns andregarding this, non-lethal PAVA shells have been recommendedas a replacement. "The shells will not take lives. About 1000 shells havearrived here," he said. More than 30 delegations comprising 300 members frompolitical parties, civil society, University teachers, fruitgrowers, students and intellectuals have presented their viewbefore the delegation, he said. "Everyone wants that the situation must improve. Thedelegation spoke to these people, the Governor and the ChiefMinister of state and also officials of the state government.I am fully confident that the situation will improve whichpeople also want," he said. He said the Centre is giving full support to the stategovernment which is also trying to bring improvement in thesituation. (MORE) PTI SKL ABS AKKAKK