Jammu/Ramban, July 8: New Delhi appointed Interlocutors on Friday reached the hilly district Ramban to get the feedback of cross-section of society on Kashmir imbroglio.
 Three Interlocutors including noted journalist, Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M M Ansari traveled to Ramban from Kashmir at around 3:30 PM and held discussions with 18 delegations, comprising political, social and religious groups to get their viewpoint on Kashmir problem.
 The first delegation was the recently elected Panchs and Sarpanchs who demanded more powers to Panchayats to make these institutions more effective.
 The representatives of different political parties including Bharatiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), National Conference, National Panthers Party, RSS and Samajwadi Party also met the Interlocutors and apprised them about the basic problem of the Kashmir issue.
 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stayed away from the meeting. It was learnt that a delegation of the party was waiting for the interlocutors, but as the time of their arrival was changed, it left the venue in protest.
 Officials said the interlocutors were schedule to arrive at 11 AM, but they could not left Srinagar due to bad weather condition.
 The delegates, which met the Interlocutors were of the opinion that the Government of India should take into account the aspirations of common people while finalizing any document on Kashmir issue.
 A delegation of District Bar Association, senior citizens from Ramban, Banihal, Gool and Batote, Beopar Mandals, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, Hill Development Council, religious preachers, NGOs and journalists association also met them.
 Some delegations also raised the harassment at the hands of armed forces and demanded withdrawal of troops and revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) as confidence building measures.
 The Interlocutors will hold two-day Round Table Conference (RTC) in Jammu on July 11 and 12. Interlocutors recently held an RTC in Srinagar in April.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST