Trade bodies and the Bar Association in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla refused to meet government interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma on Tuesday, the Greater Kashmir reported.
Sharma is on his third visit to the state, after the Centre appointed him as a special representative to initiate dialogue with elected representatives, political parties and residents. Sharma visited the state first in early November.
Bar Association President Adul Salam told the Greater Kashmir that the association had boycotted the meeting as “it will not bear any fruit”. “We don’t want to be part of such an exercise that will fetch no result,” Salam said. “It is just a futile exercise.”
Sharma, a former head of the Intelligence Bureau, reached north Kashmir’s Kupwara on Monday, the Hindustan Times reported. Local authorities said Sharma met 30 delegations, including youth groups, at the Kupwara Dak Bungalow.
Sharma also met Kupwara MLA Bashir Ahmad Dar and Karnah MLA Raja Manzoor Ahmad Khan, The Indian Express reported. “I told Sharma if nothing comes of the dialogues or meetings, nobody will trust any sort of dialogue process,’’ Dar told the newspaper.
Sharma met the family of taxi driver Asif Iqbal Bhat, who was allegedly killed during an ambush by the Army earlier this month. The family members conveyed their anger over Bhat’s killing, the Hindustan Times reported.
Earlier in December, pro-talk Kashmiri separatist leader, Abdul Ghani Bhat, confirmed he had met Sharma, ignoring the Hurriyat’s decision against engaging with him.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!