Mehbooba Mufti asks separatists to seize ‘golden opportunity’ of Centre’s dialogue offer

Srinagar: Terming the Centre’s offer of dialogue as the “golden opportunity” Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday exhorted separatists to accept the offer. She said the situation in the state is a political issue and cannot be resolved militarily. The PDP leader, who heads a state government in alliance with the BJP, asserted that the government is carrying forward political process hence separatists should also come forward to end the uncertainty and provide lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehbooba is quoted to have said, “this is a golden opportunity … it does not happen very often that (such an offer comes from) a very powerful Prime Minister. It was 18 years ago that cessation of operations happened during the time of (the then Prime Minister) AB Vajpayee. At that time, talks were held at the level of deputy PM (LK Advani) and the process seems to have been repeated again.”

Saying that it is the duty of all groups in the state to think about how to bring about peace and end the bloodshed, Mufti hoped that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister after reviewing the situation will take an appropriate decision on it. The PDP leader said the common people have heaved a sigh of relief due to the suspension of operations during Ramadan.