Rajnath Singh reached JK on two-day visit; extension of ‘conditional ceasefire’ on top of all agendas

New Delhi, June 7: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reached Jammu and Kashmir on a two-day visit with an aim to review the conditional ceasefire in Ramzan, meet those affected by ceasefire violations and other sections of the society.

 

Earlier, in the day, before leaving for JK Rajnath Singh in a tweet said, “Leaving for Srinagar on a two day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Looking forward to interact with the youth, people living in border areas and other sections of the society during my visit.”

Notably, this is the second high-level visit to the valley after the announcement of unilateral ceasefire by the Central government from May 16. During the two day visit, HM Rajnath Singh will review the suspension of anti-terrorism operations with top police, paramilitary and central security agency officials.

He will also visit the frontier district of Kupwara to review projects being undertaken as part of the Border Area Development Programme. The Home Minister will also discuss with the state government and security officials the possibility of extending the suspension of operations beyond Eid and during the period of the Amarnath Yatra, which will begin on June 28.

On the second day, Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and will take stock of the situation along the International Border where over a dozen security personnel have been killed in firing by shameless Pakistani forces. Earlier, PM Modi had visited all the three regions of the state including Ladakh, Srinagar and Jammu.

Interestingly, the visit of Rajnath Singh comes amidst an offer for talks with the Hurriyat Conference. However, the separatists have made it clear that it was ready for a dialogue only if there was clarity on the initiative and Jammu and Kashmir is declared disputed and a few other conditions are met.