J-K talks to begin today; Dineshwar Sharma to visit valley

The Centre's special representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma will reach Srinagar on Monday for a five-day visit to the valley to initiate a dialogue with the stakeholders.

Sharma is likely to stay in the Kashmir Valley for three days, followed by a two-day visit to the Jammu region.

In the run up to this, defence experts have acknowledged Sharma's effort in starting the peace process with various stakeholders in Kashmir and said that the mission was a difficult national task and that the stakeholders should not get deterred with the wrong propaganda.

Hours before leaving for the Valley, Dineshwar Sharma had said he did not have a magic wand, but wanted to be judged by his actions when he starts the process.

Speaking to ANI, defence expert Praful Bakshi said, "Dineshwar Sharma's step towards the growth of Kashmir is a good option and there are thousands who are in need for growth and development. Many who are educated and skilled are lagging behind. If Sharma's push can do wonders, then I wish him luck. His work is a 'serious effort' and should be carried out with a serious mind. They should not get deterred with the wrong propaganda."

Another defence expert P.K. Saihgal said Sharma's principle aim would be to talk to the people and resort issues.

"Dineshwar Sharma's statement is loaded with sincerity and genuineness; he has a task which he has to pursue. He is going to Kashmir as a representative to India. His principle aim will be to talk to the people, get to know of their grievances and find ways and means of sorting out the issues which is pulling the state behind. I totally support Sharma's statement," he said.

Yesterday, while speaking at a conference Dineshwar Sharma's added that no one should jump to conclusions before the process of talks with various stakeholders in Kashmir begin.

"I am going there tomorrow to be with my people and understand their pain and suffering and find a suitable remedy to their problems."

Sharma, who is originally from Bihar and was a Kerala-cadre IPS officer of the 1979 batch, held the country's top- most post for a police officer from 2014 to 2016.