Impose Governor's rule in J-K to bring normalcy: Defense expert

Amid talks between the Centre and the state government over coming up with a solution to bring down the level of tensions in the Valley, defense experts have reckoned that Governor's rule must be imposed in Jammu Kashmir as the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti-led government had failed to provide leadership for various reasons.

Defence expert Qamar Agha told ANI, "The situation is deteriorating day by day and getting out of control of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Time has come to impose Governor's rule for the time being and settle down the situation, bring normalcy and then restore the government and call for a re-election."

Agha further stated that talking to the militants will not solve the problem of the valley.

"Talking to them will not solve the problem in the long run because if you talk to them they will stop the movement for a while and then they will relaunch it with more vigour," he added.

On the other hand, Brigadier Amrit Kapoor (Retd.) said that conflict resolution with confrontation of the security forces and militants.

"The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir should create that type of secure environment in the valley so that dialogue can take place. We can use the force to bring the party to the negotiation table," Kapoor told ANI.

Asserting that we can't get the situation slip out from our hand, Kapoor suggested that government should get hold of these stone pelters.

"Government has to think for certain other options because options are there with the government. We can't get the situation slip out from our hand. This is the right time that such a thing must be arrested," he added.

Hours after urging the Centre to follow the footsteps of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in dealing with the Kashmir unrest, Mehbooba Mufti yesterday stated that a dialogue process would be initiated only after normalcy was restored.

The Chief Minister after meeting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that within two-three months the situation in the Valley would definitely improve.

"In a period of two-three months, you will see a changed Jammu and Kashmir. Next few months are really crucial for us. We will first restore the normalcy, than we will talk. This issue is as old as 70 years," Mufti said.

Mufit further appealed to the media to help in restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We will also hold talks regarding the Whatsapp groups," Mufti stated.

Earlier yesterday, Mufti asserted that the ruling dispensation at the Centre must follow the footsteps of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and reach out to the disillusioned and angry youth so as to restore a peaceful atmosphere for governance.

Talking to the media after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mehbooba said a conducive atmosphere was required for talks and governance.

"We must start from where Vajpayee ji left... Modi ji has repeatedly said that he would follow the footsteps of Vajpayee ji, whose policy was of reconciliation, not confrontation. There is no option but to talk," she asserted.

The Chief Minister also said that she discussed the recent by-polls to Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, which witnessed large-scale violence and the lowest turnout ever.

"I discussed the issue of less voting percentage in the recent elections and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Prime Minister Modi," she said.

The meeting came in the wake of recent incidents of violence, including the clashes between security forces and civilians during the Srinagar by-elections.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier on Sunday urged all the Chief Ministers to take care of the students from Jammu and Kashmir in their respective states.

His assertion came after Mehbooba raised the issue following assault of six Kashmiri students of Mewar University in Rajasthan by some locals.

The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of several video clips surfacing in recent times, purportedly showing human rights abuses by the security forces.