TRADE BODIES SKIP MEET AS SHARMA BEGINS KASHMIR TALKS

SRINAGAR: Most trade unions in Jammu and Kashmir boycotted on Monday their meetings with Dineshwar Sharma, the Centre’s interlocutor for peace talks in the restive state, and several political groups alleged that they haven’t received any invitation for a dialogue.

Sharma reached Srinagar on a five-day visit, kindling hopes of restarting a peace process in a state struggling with three decades of separatist militancy.

“The hope of resolution via dialogue has been rekindled in J&K,” tweeted chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

In another post she wrote: “I am optimistic that parties and organisations in J&K will not miss this opportunity to be a part of peace parleys.”

But barring representatives of organisations such as the Gujjar and Bakarwal conference, the fruit and saffron growers’ association, and the young journalists’ union, the major players didn’t meet him.