09 August,2016 08:10 AM IST | | Agencies
Facing a month-long turbulence and violence in the state J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti yesterday urged PM Narendra Modi to open a dialogue process with the people of the state
New Delhi: Facing a month-long turbulence and violence in the state J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti yesterday urged PM Narendra Modi to open a dialogue process with the people of the state.
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir try to pull away National Conference MLAs and MLCs who staged a protest march against civilian killings in Srinagar yesterday. Pic/PTI
Talking to reporters after a two-hour meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mehbooba also hinted at resuming a dialogue with Pakistan on Kashmir issue saying the state could act as a "bridge" between the two nations.
Mehbooba Mufti after meeting Rajnath Singh. Pic/PTI
"I believe there is a need to heal the wounds of people, to initiate dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. These are our own people. If process of dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir can improve the situation in valley, we should do it," she said and adding, her state could become a bridge between India and Pakistan.
"There is a need to apply balm to the wounds of Kashmiri people," she said.
Mufti said during the one month of unrest, which started after the killing of Wani, 55 people lost their lives and referred the deceased as "our own boys". "People will keep dying if we don't take initiative to bring normalcy. We want peace. There is an opportunity for dialogue and we should avail it," she said. "I am hopeful the Prime Minister will take this as an opportunity to initiate dialogue with people to address their problems," she added.
