The Government of India’s “special representative” for Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma on Thursday visited Shopian where he met several delegations who sought end to civilian killings and demanded decrease in the footprints of the government forces.
His visit came in the backdrop of six civilian killings in the district last month in barely a week’s time which had triggered massive outrage and protests across Kashmir.
Sharma straightway flied from Srinagar international airport to Shopian in a chopper.
At least a dozen delegations who met Sharma sought end to the killings and demanded decreasing of the footprints of forces, besides initiating a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan and engaging the Hurriyat.
The delegations which met him included drivers’ association, street vendors’ association, numberdar association, flood victims’ association, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe association and deputations from villages of Keegam, Amshipora and DK Pora. The sqay martial art association was also among those who met Sharma.
Among the militancy victim families the parents of slain head constable Abdul Salam of Kareva Manloo village killed in a recent militant attack in Rajpora also met Sharma.
“Several camps have come up during the past one year and the concentration of forces has increased. The deployment of forces on streets is also huge. This has created fear and there is every likelihood of violence escalating further,” delegations told Sharma.
They also sought addressing their grievances which ranged from rehabilitation of flood and militancy victims to providing jobs and assistance to earn their livelihood.
It may be recalled that GoI in October last announced to carry the sustained dialogue with all stakeholders to understand the legitimate aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir.