In a fresh attempt to restore peace in the volatile Jammu region, Governor N N Vohra on Wednesday night appointed a four-member team to talk to the protesters and end the month-long stalemate in the state.
The committee comprises former chief secretary of the state S S Bollowria, Vice Chancellor of Jammu University Amitabh Mattoo, retired judge of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice G D Sharma and Principle Secretary to the Governor B B Vyas, official sources said.
Sangharsh Samiti rejects Centre's plea for peace
The announcement of the committee came minutes after an all-party meet convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ended.
The committee has been authorised to hold talks with the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti to end the stalemate that had been assuming dangerous dimensions with a threat of communal backlash looming large.
Amarnath impasse: Parties call for dialogue
It was not immediately clear whether the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, which is spearheading the agitation, would hold talks.
The protesters have already rejected the offer of the Governor to hold talks.