Congress hails Rajnath Singh's Kashmir visit, hopes for logical outcome

New Delhi, Aug.25 (ANI): The Congress Party on Thursday hailed Home Minister Rajnath Singh's two-day visit to the violence-hit Kashmir Valley, and hoped that it is the beginning to a logical, honest and genuine effort to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir. "You cannot hope to break the logjam without meeting people, without talking to people. Now, who they will talk to, how they will talk, how much time it will take, it is the responsibility of somebody in the office, and I hope that the Home Minister has made this beginning, and I hope that he takes this beginning to a logical conclusion," Congress leader Salman Khurshid told ANI here. He also said that his party supports the Home Minister's efforts and hopes that there will be opportunities where suggestions will be entertained and all parties will be able to make an honest and genuine effort to bring peace in Jammu and Kashmir. On Wednesday, the Home Minister arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit during which he will review the situation in the valley. Singh, who may hold talks with a cross section of people, is likely to emphasize the various development projects and employment schemes undertaken for the youth in the valley. The Home Minister, who is accompanied by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, earlier tweeted that he would interact with civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders in Kashmir. "I will be staying at the Nehru Guest House. Those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat are welcome," he tweeted. This is the Home Minister's second visit in a month to the valley, which has been witnessing unrest since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The visit comes following Prime Minister Modi expressing deep concern and pain over the situation in Kashmir. (ANI)