Jammu and Kashmir talks: BJP team meets Dineshwar Sharma, wants AFSPA to be continued

"Our party representatives had sought an audience with him in Srinagar, but he told them that he will be meeting the party leaders in Jammu," Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma said.

Dineshwar Sharma, Jammu and Kashmir, Centre's interlocutor, Jammu and Kashmir BJP, BJP, Sat Sharma, Indian Express news

Dineshwar Sharma, the Centre’s special representative for talks on Kashmir. (PTI file photo )

A BJP delegation met Dineshwar Sharma, the Centre’s special representative to Jammu and Kashmir, in Jammu on Thursday and demanded that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) continues to be in effect in the state. The delegation also demanded that overground workers, a term used to refer to sympathisers of militants, be treated as terrorists.

Soon after meeting Sharma, state BJP president Sat Sharma said, “We demanded equitable treatment for all the three regions in the state. We want that overground workers be treated as terrorists. Those supporting terrorists should not be spared,’’ he said, adding, “on AFSPA, the party stand is that it should not be withdrawn until the situation in Kashmir Valley is safe’’.

Sharma met Governor N N Vohra in the evening and informed him about his talks with individuals and groups in the Valley and the major concerns they voiced, said an official release. The Governor suggested to him that notwithstanding any initial reservations in some groups, he must sustain the dialogue and hear one and all, particularly elements of the society who apparently held contrary convictions, said the release. He was also scheduled to meet CM Mehbooba Mufti.

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The Centre’s representative reached Jammu on Thursday afternoon after spending three days in Kashmir where he met more than 30 delegations. Before leaving the Valley, the former IB chief called on Deputy CM Dr Nirmal Singh in Srinagar, sources said, adding that the two discussed issues relating to the state in detail.

On reaching Jammu, Sharma met Chief Secretary B B Vyas and Director General of Police Dr S P Vaid. The meeting lasted for nearly half-an-hour. On Friday, he is scheduled to meet nearly 26 delegations.

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