‘Exhibit realistic approach towards Kashmir issue’: Mehbooba Mufti to Centre

Srinagar, Feb 16: Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday appealed Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the centre to exhibit realistic approach towards Kashmir issue and take confidence building measures to bring lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

She also urged chief minister Omar Abdullah to respect the mandate of the people and live upto their expectations and fulfill promises made during 2024 elections.

Talking to reporters in Srinagar, Mehbooba Mufti appealed central government to take confidence building measures in bringing relief at grassroots level in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The BJP-led government at the centre in 2016-17 sent delegation to J&K to hold talks with separatists but unfortunately they didn’t budge. The separatists thought stone pelting and setting buildings on fire will settle Kashmir issue. Today I want to ask BJP government to avoid separatists-like approach they displayed in 2016, and take confidence building measures for lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehbooba Mufti as per Greater Kashmir said.

She questioned why Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is holding security review meetings repeatedly if situation is stable and under control in J&K.

“There is a need to heal the injuries of Kashmiris, and taking up of measures like shifting of under trial youth from outside jails to J&K prisons so that their parents can meet with them. Also arbitrary arrests should come to an end and roads connecting both sides of Kashmir need to be reopened,” Mehbooba said.

She urged Omar Abdullah-led government to live upto the expectations of people. “People were expecting employee terminations will come to an end after an elected government, but it didn’t happen. The police constable – Firdous Ahmad – who was dismissed from his services yesterday has suffered very much. He was injured by militants, and has suffered 85 stitches on his body. Since then he is lying at home with his family in Qamarwari Srinagar, but yesterday over alleged links with anti-national activities he was terminated,” Mehbooba said.