PM arrives in Kashmir for Round Table conference

Srinagar, May 24 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here today to chair the two-day second round-table conference on Kashmir issue and review the political, security and economic situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was received by the Governor Lt Gen S K Sinha, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, his cabinet colleagues and other senior civil, army, security forces and police officials.

Mr Singh, during his two-day stay, will for the first time chair Unified Command meeting where he would be briefed about the overall security situation besides various measures taken in view of the recent militant attacks in several parts of the state.

Dr Singh will later in the afternoon chair the second round-table, which comes nearly three months after the first conference held in New Delhi on February 25.

The round-table was earlier scheduled to be held on May 25, but was later rescheduled for two days on May 24 and 25 to accommodate views of different shades of opinion in the state.

Prime Minister would also meet Jammu and Kashmir government officials to review the Reconstruction Plan launched last year to boost infrastructure facilities in the state.

Official sources said he would be briefed by the state government about the amount spent under the package and also about future requirements for rebuilding the infrastracture, particularly in health and road connectivity sectors.

The Prime Minister is likely to address a news conference here on May 25 at the conclusion of the second round-table conference.

UNI

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