Pro-peace Kashmiris will defeat unruly powers: Naqvi

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday exuded confidence and said the people of Kashmir will stand up for peace and defeat the unruly powers trying to disturb tranquility in the region hence dragging the valley out of abyss.

Naqvi said it is saddening to see that this region has fallen victim to the hands of fistful miscreants.

"The people of Kashmir have always vouched for peace. And I believe this urge for peace will defeat terrorism. The people of Kashmir have always backed peace and have taken over the separatists and terrorists. And this time once again the people of Kashmir will stand up for peace and defeat unruly powers trying to disturb tranquility in the region," said Naqvi.

"It is saddening that the people of Kashmir had to undergo trouble because of a few miscreants from across the border who instigated violence in the valley for their vested interests," he added.

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on dialogue to find a "permanent and lasting solution" to the problems of Kashmir within the framework of the Constitution.

Addressing the concerns of the opposition delegation led by former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, Prime Minister Modi expressed "deep concern and pain" at the prevailing situation in the state and appealed for the restoration of normality.

The National Conference president welcomed the Prime Minister's statement and extended his support for bringing normalcy in the state.

Omar said that he was not politicising the ongoing unrest but wanted a solution to the crisis.

The Prime Minister's latest remarks came at a meeting with opposition leaders from Kashmir, where street protests against last month's killing of militant commander Burhan Wani by the security forces left 67 people dead.

Speaking in Jammu on Sunday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had described stone-throwers as "aggressors" and blamed Pakistan for the current unrest in the Valley.

The Centre yesterday rushed 2,600 additional paramilitary forces to Jammu and Kashmir, in the wake of continuous unrest in the Kashmir Valley.