Mufti asks separatists to respond positively to Center's dialogue offer
J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday asked the separatists in the state to come forward and respond positively to the dialogue offer made by the Center recently. The Center announced unilateral ceasefire for the holy month of Ramzan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently said the Center was ready to talk to separatists in the valley if they are willing for a dialogue.
Ceasefire, dialogue offer opportunity to save J&K from bloodshed: Mehbooba
Addressing a convention of PDP, Mufti said the people of Kashmir and the leadership have to decide on the opportunity provided by the Center in terms of a unilateral ceasefire, which stopped the "bloodshed" in Srinagar. The CM said while she cannot force the separatists, they have to think on giving the youth in Kashmir a way out from the stone and gun culture.
If military isn't the solution, then accept dialogue offer: Mufti
Putting the onus on the separatists, Mehbooba said the mainstream parties in the state gave them an opportunity by providing an atmosphere for talks and now it was up to the separatists to take advantage of the opportunity. She said that separatists always say that military is not a solution and only dialogue is the way forward. So, today they have an offer.
Whole country is looking at J&K and its leadership: Mehbooba
Mufti said the eyes of the whole country were on J&K and its leadership to see what they decide and how they try to save the people of Kashmir, especially its youth. If the people here lose this opportunity, then no one will support or advocate for them tomorrow, she said, they have to save Jammu and Kashmir and this is the opportunity.
Increase in militancy would only increase footprints of security forces
Amidst reports of more youth joining militant ranks, Mufti said the increase in the number of youth picking up guns will increase the presence of the army, CRPF, and the police in the state. The more the situation improves, the more we can tell Army, CRPF or police that your role is over and you reduce your footprints, she said.
Gun or grenade attacks would achieve nothing, says Mehbooba
Referring to the spate of grenade attacks over the last few days, Mehbooba said the gun or grenade attacks achieve nothing. Despite the unilateral ceasefire, there are grenade attacks. Attackers do not see that civilians are getting killed, they do not see that army or CRPF jawans have come from far-flung areas for their bread and butter, the Chief Minister said.
