 "Mehbooba Mufti")
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday sought the creation of an institutional mechanism of interlocutors to talk to all stakeholders in Kashmir to carry forward former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee's policy of a dialogue internally as well as with Pakistan. Mufti, who called on PM Narendra Modi and discussed the situation in the Kashmir Valley, told reporters that he was very concerned about the situation and has asked for steps to end this "bloodshed" so that the state comes out of the present turmoil.
"The PM is very concerned about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir like we all are. It is a matter of concern for everyone. The PM wants this bloodshed to end so that the state comes out of the present turmoil," she told reporters after an hour-long meeting with Modi. This was the first meeting the CM had with the PM after the violence broke out in the Valley on July 8. Taking Pakistan head on, Mufti said "our PM 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. Observing that the basis of the Peoples Democratic Party-Bhartiya Janta Party alliance was on the foundations of Vajpayee's Kashmir policy and to carry forward from where it had stopped, she recalled the words of her father and former CM Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who had said if Kashmir can be resolved, it can only be by the PM who enjoys two-thirds majority.
"If things don't happen during his tenure, it won't happen ever. I believe Modiji, who took a bold step of going there, says we need to talk to our own people, because people are dying," she said.
"I am sure that he will not forget to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue like the United Progressive Alliance did," she said. The CM said she told Modi to hold talks with all the stakeholders in the state and this could be possible through an institutionalised mechanism.
"Please appoint a group of individuals on whom people of Kashmir have trust, that whatever they are saying will reach to people at the helm of affairs in Delhi," she said.
She said a peaceful resolution, as discussed with the PM, will ensure that the people in the state will live their life with dignity and peace.
Mehbooba said an all-party delegation will reach Srinagar and make efforts to reach out to the people in the state.
"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.
