Kashmir: Rajnath Singh approves use of chilli-based PAVA shells for crowd control

During the two-day visit, the MPs will interact with Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and will also be holding meetings with representatives of all political parties to bring peace in the restive Valley.

Rajnath Singh, who is heading the all-party meet in Kashmir, has said that after returning to Delhi on Monday night, the delegation would meet once again “and the government will take action based on their suggestions”. Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday approved the use of chilli-based PAVA shells for crowd control measures in the Valley ahead of his visit to Kashmirfor the all-party delegation meet, said PTI quoting official sources. Rajnath Singh, who is heading the all-party meet in Kashmir, has said that after returning to Delhi on Monday night, the delegation would meet once again “and the government will take action based on their suggestions”.

During the two-day visit, the MPs will interact with Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and will also be holding meetings with representatives of all political parties and other delegations in Srinagar to bring peace in the restive Valley.

Reiterating that the use of pellet guns must be stopped in Kashmir, the CongressParty on Saturday said that the government must initiate dialogue with all stakeholders to end the prevailing unrest in the valley. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has said the pellet guns should be replaced with less lethal options to control protesters in Kashmir Valley.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said he hopes for positive outcome from all party delegation visit, adding there is more need for peace in the Kashmir valley.

Apart from the Home Minister and Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, those who will be part of the all-party
delegation include Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, his Lok Sabha colleague Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Ambika Soni, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP), JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI leader D Raja.