Yashwant Sinha-led delegation meets Abdullahs, interacts with students

Srinagar, Aug 17 (IANS) Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha-led delegation on Thursday met former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah in addition to an interaction with some local students.

Sinha and his delegation called on both the Abdullahs separately. Sources in the National Conference said the party leaders reiterated their position regarding the Constitution's Article 35A, adding that any tampering with the provision which gives the state assembly powers to grant privileges to the state's residents would unleash an unrest that might not be easy to control.

Talking to media after meeting the Abdullahs, Sinha said the initiative by the group led by him had nothing to do with the government's efforts to bring peace to the state.

"This is our second visit to the Valley. We will meet everybody and try to understand the best ways and means to usher in permanent peace here.

"We have nothing to do with the government's efforts to bring peace to the state.

"Yes, our effort to work for peace means seeking an end to violence of all s ort in Kashmir," he said.

Later, the members of the delegation had an interactive session with student s in a north Kashmir college. The other members of the delegation include Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak (retd.) and Shushoba Bharve, Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation.