No magic wand, but serious effort for peace: Dineshwar Sharma

Srinagar: Centre's special representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma says he does not have a magic wand, but wants to be judged by his actions when he starts the process of talks in the Valley tomorrow.

"I do not have a magic wand but my efforts have to be judged with sincerity and not through the prism of the past," Sharma, 61, said.

The former Intelligence Bureau director added that no one should jump to conclusions before the process of talks with various stakeholders in Kashmir began.

"I would like to be judged by my actions," he told said from Delhi.

Describing his work as a "serious effort", he added that "one should refrain from fishing in the desert". "I am going there tomorrow to be with my people and understand their pain and suffering and find a suitable remedy to their problems," Sharma said.

Responding to criticisms which have appeared in sections of the media, he said in due course he would also meet intellectuals for their advice in achieving "this difficult national task".

Sharma, who is originally from Bihar and was a Kerala- cadre IPS officer of the 1979 batch, held the country's top- most post for a police officer from 2014 to 2016.

He said Kashmir was his "second home" as his professional journey in the premier intelligence unit began here in 1992.

"Nothing has changed since I was there for the first time. Kashmiriyat, which means compassion and brotherhood, has not changed even an iota. Therefore, I am hopeful that I will be at least able to contribute towards a new Kashmir, a peaceful Valley where prosperity will be the order of the day," he said.