Mehbooba calls for peaceful resolution of J&K issue

“Whosoever is ready to reject the violence and help in restoring peace should be engaged in dialogue to end the uncertainties plaguing Jammu and Kashmir for the past six decades,” the Chief Minister said while addressing the Police Commemoration Day function at Armed Police Complex here.

Maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir is confronted with various complex issues,which sets it apart from simple law and order situation, Mehbooba said: “Mufti Mohammad Sayeed joined hands with the BJP to form a Government in the State not for the sake of power, but with the larger objective of resolving the political, economic and developmental issues concerning J&K.

She said peace is imperative to implement the roadmap laid down in the ‘Agenda of Alliance’, which would be taken to the logical conclusion through tangible initiatives at the political, economic and  administrative fronts.

Referring to the visit of the All Party Delegation, the Chief Minister said that the separatists seem to have missed the opportunity at starting a dialogue process, by spurning the parleys and not facilitating the solution.

“Give peace a chance and I will again plead with the leadership in New Delhi to talk to all shades of the political opinion in J&K, including the separatists, to end the decades’ old uncertainty in the region which has brought immense miseries to the people of my State,” she said and added, a conducive environment, however, has to be created for the peace and resolution process to take shape, as talks can’t be held at gunpoint.

Mehbooba said Pakistan’s cooperation in maintaining peace in Jammu and Kashmir is also necessary.

“Even Pakistan has to help us as we both have to live together. Pakistan must understand we are neighbors and Indians, Pakistanis are the same people,” she said.

Reiterating the commitment of her government for the betterment of the state, the Chief Minister said that the government shall work towards revoking AFSPA in a phase wise manner albeit once peace is fully restored in the state.

Urging the police and the security forces to hand-hold the misadvised youth who have joined militancy or are indulging in violence, with compassion, the Chief Minister said that such youth should be a given a chance to return to their families and live normal lives.

“They can be also provided counseling on how to make a new beginning in their lives,” she said and added these are all our children who have been misguided and have fallen prey to the unfortunate circumstances and need more of parenting rather than policing.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)