Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has again asked all stakeholders, including separatists, to come forward and respond to the Centre’s offer of talks amid the ongoing Ramadan ceasefire and play their role in restoring peace in the state.
She said the cessation of operations by the security forces against militants during the holy month provided relief to the people of Kashmir. She said amid the ceasefire, the offer for talks made by Home Minister Rajnath Singh hinted at the initiation of a political process in the state.
The Chief Minister was talking to media persons after inaugurating the Mehjoor Bridge here. She rued that attacks on security forces like grenade explosions and snatching of weapons were still taking place. “The atmosphere is vitiated due to such incidents,” the Chief Minister said and sought an end to such practices.
Hoping Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh would take a considerate decision after taking stock of the situation in the state, Mehbooba said, “Kashmir is a political issue, which needs to be resolved by ways that would lead to peace and development.” Mehbooba exhorted the separatists and all other stakeholders to come forward for talks and play their role in ending the prevailing situation in the state. “Jammu and Kashmir needs an everlasting peace. It will help in the development of different sectors, particularly education,” Mehbooba said.
“The Kashmir and other issues need to be addressed through dialogue process, for which the separatists should take the advantage of the talks offer and come forward,” said the CM. She said under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ceasefire and offer for talks had come after a gap of 18 years. “Such opportunities are rare… Let us all seize the offer and come forward,” she added.
Seize offer for dialogue, Mehbooba Mufti to Resistance Camp
