SRINAGAR: About 30 delegations and individuals, most of them apolitical, met interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma on the second day of his five day visit here on Tuesday while the key political players and Kashmir-based legislators stayed away.
The delegations of All JK Auto drivers Association, Shopkeepers Association, Ex-Serviceman Association, Help and Peace Foundation, Voice of Youth, Tehreek Insaaf, Welfare Civil Society Kupwara, Kashmir Pandit Sangarish Samiti, journalists, cross-LoC Trade Association, Global Youth Foundation, Be the Change, Voice of Youth, Shivsena Hindustan, Redwinter, Youth Group Srinagar, J&K Doordarshan, Non Migrant Pandits, Child production Committee, Muslim Rashtriya Manch, called on Sharma at Hari Niwas, here and apprised him about their grievances.
However, none of these delegations have significant impact in the political landscape of the State.
A delegation of PDP youth wing led by Waheed Para, who is also secretary Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, also met him and apprised him about the prevailing political situation and the problems faced by youth.
“We believe that talks should be held with everyone. There was a genuine pain and anger on the streets in Kashmir and country’s leadership should realize this pain and anger and resolve the Kashmir problem through talks,” Para told reporters after the meeting.
All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) led by its chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina also called on Sharma and raised the issues of Sikh community in the state.
He demanded Minority Status for Sikhs in J&K as per norms of the Minority Commission of India.
Singh said they asked the interlocutor to hold an inquiry on Kashmir disturbances, which have shattered the economy, led to bloodshed and disgruntled the youth and public.
“We told him that the Sikh community have felt that Centre was never serious in holding dialogue with the real stakeholders of Kashmir,” he said.
Some women of J&K Youth Alliance also met Sharma.
It was for the second consecutive day that apolitical groups and youth met Sharma, who was appointed interlocutor for holding sustained dialogue with stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Sharma is likely to meet key political players including opposition National Conference (NC) and Congress delegations tomorrow.
Sharma is also scheduled to visit the residence of CPI (M) leader and MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami in Srinagar tomorrow for a meeting with him and two other leaders MLA Hakim Mohammad Yasin and former minister Ghulam Hassan Mir.
Meanwhile, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir chapter has decided not to meet the interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma.
The traders bodies in Kashmir including KCCI have already decided not to meet Sharma.
The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, who have formed unified Hurriyat command, have refused talks with interlocutor saying appointment of interlocutor is “nothing more than a tactic” to buy time by New Delhi.