Srinagar: Amid the simmering tension on the borders, the Union government’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma arrived in Srinagar to reach out to the people and help in restoring peace in the restive Kashmir region. The interlocutor said that as of now talks with Hurriyat are not on his agenda.

Talking to ‘Kashmir Vision’, Sharma said that he will meet people in the summer capital of the state only.

On talks with Hurriyat, Sharma said that “there is nothing like that as of now”.

“I don’t plan to visit any part of the valley this time. I will be meeting people here in Srinagar only,” Sharma said.

Sharma on Sunday met the state’s Governor NN Vohra in New Delhi and held extensive discussions on several important issues relating to the restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.

Importantly, this is the interlocutors first visit to the state during this year. Sharma has visited different places including sensitive South Kashmir to hold discussions with people.

Sharma’s visit comes at a time when Indian and Pakistani troops are exchanging heavy fire along Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu division.

The death toll in the exchange of firing on LoC and International Border (IB) has climbed to 12 since Wednesday night. More than 50 people have suffered injuries and thousands of people have fled their homes. Schools and educational institutions in the five-kilometre range of International Border and LoC have been shut as a precautionary measure.

Dineshwar Sharma’s visit also coincides with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filing charge-sheet against seven separatist leaders. Hurriyat leaders have termed the charge-sheet as “fake and false”.

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