Dialogue only way forward to address Kashmir issue: Mehbooba Mufti

“Threads need to be picked up from where these were left by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2005, when a serious effort was made both on external and internal fronts to resolve the Kashmir issue through a credible and meaningful dialogue and confidence building process,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a function in Jammu winter capital of state.

Mehbooba said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the mandate to take bold decisions on the lines of Vajpayee Ji for the resolution of the problems in and around Jammu and Kashmir."

“We have to ensure that a credible mechanism for dialogue, reconciliation and resolution is put in place and it should not be like the half-hearted efforts made in similar situations after 2008 and 2010 unrest,” she said and called for creating conducive atmosphere for dialogue.

The Chief Minister said whosoever wants a solution to the Kashmir problem should understand that solution is not going to come through violence.

She said violence has changed nothing on political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir over the years and has only brought mayhem, miseries, economic disaster, academic breakdown and social disorder to the State.

Mehbooba hailed the people of Jammu region for maintaining peace and harmony despite repeated provocations by various disruptive elements.

The Chief Minister, on this occasion, handed-over orders of compassionate appointment under SRO-43 to 108 beneficiaries from 10 districts of Jammu division, including 47 from Jammu, 05 from Reasi, 09 from Kathua, 11 from Udhampur, 10 from Poonch, 07 from Samba, 04 from Kishtwar, 03 from Ramban, 08 from Rajouri and 04 from Doda. 

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)