It is an encouraging sign that Hurriyat is ready to talk: J&K Guv

The Governor also lauded moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq for speaking against rising drug addiction among youth and ill effects of the menace.

The Governor, while addressing a function here on Saturday, said that Kashmir issue could be resolved only after the anger among younger generation in the valley is properly addressed.

''Since I assumed governance in the state, the temperature has come down and the situation has improved. Hurriyat leaders, who once shut doors to Ram Vilas Paswan when he tried to reach out to them for dialogue, are now ready for talks. This is an encouraging sign,'' Malik said while addressing a function organised by Doordarshan at S K International Conference Centre (SKICC) here on Saturday.

The Governor said that through his reach out initiatives, the situation has improved and the atmosphere has been made conducive to hold talks.
However, he said it is for the central government to initiate a dialogue process to resolve all pending issues in the state.

''The new recruitment of youth in militant ranks has almost stopped while stone pelting incidents after Friday prayers, which was a new normal in the valley, has decreased drastically,'' he added.

The Governor said that Kashmir issue is very deep rooted and will take time to be resolved. “Right now we are only diagnosing the problem… since I assumed the chair; I have met hundreds of youth and tried to understand the issue through their eyes. Many, including many generals, in Delhi claim that they are experts on Kashmir affairs. But the reality is that they have no or very little knowledge about Kashmir and the issues confronted by its people. So I don’t listen to them,'' Malik said.

''I’m very happy that Mirwaiz during his Friday address (in historic Jamia Masjid) spoke against drug addiction and its ill effects. Rising drug addiction among youth in Kashmir and Jammu is a cause of concern and the issue needs to be addressed,'' he said.

Malik further said that Hurriyat’s proactive role in addressing social issues should be welcomed.

The Governor said the issues confronted by the younger generation should be addressed. ''Kashmir issue could be resolved only after the anger among younger generation in the valley is properly addressed,'' he said.

''When the youth, who are in other parts of the country studying, from the valley were facing issued we appointed an officer to look after the issued confronted by them. We should provide proper care to youth and all the issues in the valley will be automatically addressed,'' he added.