Kashmir conclave an attempt to resolve valley unrest: Sitaram Yechury

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday said the proposal to hold a non governmental conference in Delhi is an attempt to seek a "unified voice" on resolving unrest in the Kashmir valley.

Yechury told ANI, "Out attempt will be to make it an all-party Kind of gathering. We all should take initiative to solve problem of Kashmir. We are inviting all experts and members of different delegation which have visited Kashmir. We are exploring the possibility of inviting some political leaders and experts from Kashmir."

Yechury also said he had a conversation with former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah and also met Prime Minister Narendra to discuss this issue.

Janata Dal-United's Sharad Yadav said, "All those who are worried about the current situation of the Kashmir valley will together very soon hold a conference to address the problems of the state."

BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and Yadav met on Sunday to chalk out plans to bring together different groups working on Kashmir for a national conclave this month.

Both Sinha and Yadav were part of separate delegations which met separatist leaders in the valley last year.

Leaders from all parties, including the ruling BJP, are expected to be invited for the conclave, which is likely to be addressed by experts, activists and writers.

There have been spiraling protests in the valley with students, including girls, seen pelting stones on security personnel in these incidents.

There was massive violence during the April 9 by poll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat in which eight people lost their lives in more than 200 incidents.

Kashmir has been on the boil since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter in July last year. More than 90 people lost their lives, while scores of security personnel and civilians were injured in protests that followed Wani's killing.

-ANI