Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday, August 8, met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the situation in Kashmir while the opposition has demanded a discussion in parliament on the ongoing unrest in the valley.
The Chief Minister arrived in Delhi a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the Kashmir situation with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Rajnath Singh.
Opposition members, including Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, called for an all-party meeting on the situation in the valley which has been on the boil for the past month — since the July 8 killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.
Earlier on Monday, opposition parties also condemned the “silence” of the central government on the situation in Kashmir.
The government, in response, said that it was ready to discuss the issue.
“We want peace in Kashmir… and people of Kashmir have repeatedly defeated powers that have tried to disrupt peace. We are ready to debate on the issue,” Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.
Over 55 people have been killed and over 5,000 people injured in clashes between the security forces and protesters in Kashmir Valley.
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti on Monday raised the need of winning hearts of people of J&K.
While interacting with the media in the national capital, Mehbooba said “I believe there is a need to heal wounds of people, to initiate dialogue with the people of J&K.”
Lauding Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s strategy of dealing with the state, Mehbooba said “there is a need to take the same initiative of winning hearts of J&K people, which was taking during Vajpayee ji’s tenure.”
“I am hopeful that PM Modi will take this an opportunity to initiate dialogue with people in J&K to address their problems.” she added.
Mehbooba further said that If process of dialogue with J&K people can improve situation in valley, we should do it.
Mehbooba was in Delhi to discuss Kashmir issue with Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
She concluded her statement to media by saying that Jammu and Kashmir can become a bridge between India and Pakistan, if proper dialogue process is initiated.
