Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reached Srinagar today for a two-day visit to the Valley amid tension and curfew that was imposed by the government in parts of Jammu and Kashmir a fortnight ago.
Sources told the International Business Times, India that Singh, besides meeting people from various mainstream political parties in J&K, would also engage with civil society groups and business fraternities. He will also review the law and order situation in the state.
Both the central and the state governments have come under immense pressure from the opposition political parties for 'mishandling' the Kashmir situation after a top commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, Burhan Wani, was killed by security forces in an encounter in South Kashmir on July 8.
The clashes that broke out between protesters and security forces in the Valley after Burhan Wani's killing have led to the death of more than 45 people and left nearly 2,500 people injured.
Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have flayed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for the use of pellet guns as a method of crowd control, which has reportedly led to a loss of vision among 100 people.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti chaired an all-parties meeting in Srinagar, during which she broke down and appealed to the leaders to rise above their political differences and help in the restoration of peace in the Valley.
Even as curfew has been lifted in a few districts of North and Central Kashmir, the situation continues to remain tense. Schools, colleges, universities and commercial establishments have continued to remain shut in most parts of the Valley. Though the state government has directed re-opening of schools in some areas, the attendance of students and teachers remains thin.
The ongoing tourism season in Kashmir has also taken a major hit, with nearly 90 percent of tourism-related bookings getting cancelled.
