Rajnath Singh's Kashmir visit dubbed as an 'exercise in futility'

SRINAGAR: Separatist leaders in Kashmir termed the remarks of Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the unrest in the valley as "meaningless", while a senior leader of the PDP called Singh's visit as an "exercise in futility".

During his two-day visit to Kashmir, Singh didn't talk about the suggestions of political engagement with Pakistan and separatist leaders made at an all-party meeting convened by CM Mehbooba Mufti.

Influential business and civil society groups turned down the government's invite to meet the minister. Separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer, who weren't allowed to march towards Anantnag on Monday, stated that Kashmir was not a border dispute, but a political issue, which has to be addressed politically. The two leaders, along with Yasin Malik, also extended their strike call to July 29.

Senior PDP leader and MP Tariq Hameed Karra said the Centre has been "reactive than responsive" to the Kashmir unrest and no concrete steps on ground were taken to normalise the situation.

Protests erupted across Kashmir on July 9 following the killing of Hizb ul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Around 50 people are estimated to have been killed and more than 3,500 injured during the violence and firing by security forces. Kashmir has been under curfew and communication blockade for 17 days now, resulting in the shortage of essential commodities and life-saving drugs.

"The home minister's comments that they want emotional relations with Kashmir is like adding salt to the wounds of Kashmiris and actually shows the callous attitude of Indian leaders towards Kashmiris," JKLF chairman Yasin Malik said.