Mehbooba calls for talks with Pakistan

J&K CM presents three-point action plan to end stir as she meets PM.

August 27, 2016 11:09 am | Updated December 04, 2021 11:01 pm IST

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and presented a three-point action plan, which includes substantive dialogue with the separatists and Pakistan, to end the current unrest in the State.

Srinagar and parts of the Valley have been under curfew now for 50 days following the violence sparked by the death of Hizb commander Burhan Wani in an encounter.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting , Ms Mufti said there was a need to create an institutional mechanism of interlocutors to talk to all stakeholders, and to “carry forward former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s policy of a dialogue internally as well as with Pakistan.”

Interlocutors

“Please appoint a group of individuals whom people of Kashmir trust so that whatever they are saying will reach people at the helm of affairs in Delhi,” she urged.

Underlining the fact that she has just been in power only for two months, Ms. Mufti asked the people to help her resolve the crisis. “You may be angry with me, I may be angry with you. But please give me one chance to address your concerns and aspirations,” she said.

Pakistan’s role

Attacking Pakistan for its role in the ongoing troubles in the Kashmir Valley, Ms Mufti said, “Our Prime Minister took bold initiatives of inviting Nawaz Sharif for oath-taking ceremony and later flew to Lahore. This was unfortunately followed by the Pathankot terror attack. Lately, when the situation was bad and Pakistan was fuelling the ongoing crisis in Kashmir, our Home Minister Rajnath Singhji went to Lahore, but again, unfortunately, Pakistan let go this golden opportunity and did not extend the courtesy that needs to be given to a guest,” she said.

Mehbooba backs Modi on Kashmir

Speaking to the media after her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti underlined that whatever hesitations there may have been in entering into an alliance with the BJP, when faced with the turmoil in the State, she was determined to present a united front.

“The Prime Minister is very concerned about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir like we all are. It is a matter of concern for everyone. The Prime Minister wants this bloodshed to end so that the State comes out of the present turmoil,” she said.

Talks with all stakeholders

An official statement released on behalf of Ms. Mufti said, “She outlined a three-pronged action plan before the Prime Minister [Modi] for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, including involvement of separatists and Pakistan in substantive dialogue, to work out a solution to the problem in light of the contemporary geo-political realities.”

She also prodded her allies, the BJP to push for a resolution to the Kashmir issue, by recalling the words of her father, late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who had said that if Kashmir can be resolved, it can only be by the Prime Minister, who enjoys two-thirds majority.

“If things don't happen during his tenure, it won’t happen ever. I believe that Modiji, who took a bold step of going there, today again he says we need to talk to our own people, because people are dying.” “I am sure that the Prime Minister will not forget to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue like the UPA did,” she said.

“Similarly, I will ask Pakistan if they have some concern for the people of Kashmir they should stop supporting the people who are instigating the youth in the Valley,” she said. Asked about talks with the Hurriyat, she said a dialogue should be held with all those who want talks.

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