New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government's unambiguous signal that it would follow an iron-fist policy in Jammu and Kashmir has put a question mark on the role of one man: the Centre's interlocutor for the state Dineshwar Sharma.

It's not clear if Sharma, appointed last year to hold talks with all stakeholders, would continue to do his job, with the state now under governor's rule, government sources said.

"There is no clarity on Sharma's role under governor's rule in the state. The Centre has adopted a hard-line approach after the BJP pulled down the Mehbooba Mufti government and has signalled to security agencies to go all out against militants," a home ministry official said.

Sharma, he added, was appointed in October to start a "sustained dialogue" with all stakeholders and understand the "legitimate aspirations" of the people in the state.

"His appointment was a rethink on the government's earlier bullet policy but the renewed hard-line approach now would make his work difficult and defeat the very purpose for which he was appointed," the official said.

Sources said Sharma, a former Intelligence Bureau chief, had earned credibility among Valley residents through his confidence-building measures, such as engaging with civil rights groups and interactions with youths and students.

It was after his recommendation that the Centre had withdrawn criminal cases early this year against 4,000 first-time offenders accused of throwing stones at security forces.

"Over the past few months he earned a lot of goodwill among people. As part of his healing-touch advocacy, he had asked security forces to reach out to families of local militants in Kashmir and ensure they are not harassed," another official said.

In a report to the Union home ministry in February, this official said, Sharma had highlighted how youngsters were disillusioned with both mainstream and separatist leaders and were being lured by Pakistan-based militant groups through social media.

"He had suggested their concerns should be addressed through sustained dialogue to restore public confidence," the official said.

Both Sharma and Union home minister Rajnath Singh had been pushing for an extension of the Centre's Ramazan ceasefire but the government called off the truce.

Sharma, who had left for Srinagar on Monday for talks with separatist leaders, was unaware of the BJP's impending decision to withdraw support to the Mehbooba government the next day.