Historic routes across LoC should be opened: Mufti

Amidst political tensions between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has demanded to open the historic routes across the Line of Control (LoC) to facilitate people's movement.

Mufti while interacting with a visiting delegation from Muzaffarabad in the Valley said, "Dialogue, reconciliation and economic development in the whole region would bring an end to violence, acrimony and most of all miseries of people in the State."

"Historic routes across LoC should be opened which could get the state on the threshold of prosperity and economic affluence besides sending across the message of peace, coexistence and amity between India and Pakistan," she added.

The Chief Minister stressed on frequent cultural exchanges between youth, institutions, groups and communities on the two sides of LoC adding that cultural exchanges have proved instrumental in bringing people and societies closer.

She further said, "If we open up educational institutes for each other's students where they can benefit from the facilities and advancements made so far, it would help a great deal."

Members of the delegation informed Mufti that the opening of travel and trade routes between the two parts of the State has provided more contacts at the people's level which has led to their emotional integration paving the way for lowering down of violence between them.