In Delhi, Mehbooba pitches for talks on Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate talks on resolving the Kashmir problem and heal wounds of the people of the state.

"I believe there is a need to heal their wounds. If dialogue can do that, let us do it," Mehbooba Mufti told reporters here after meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

"I am hopeful that Modi ji will take this an opportunity and will initiate dialogue with people in Jammu and Kashmir to address their problems," she said.

The Chief Minister arrived in New Delhi on an unannounced trip as the month-long deadly unrest in the Kashmir Valley continues. Over 55 people have been killed and thousands injured in the weeks of turmoil, triggered by the July 8 killing of rebel commander Burhan Wani.

Mehbooba Mufti was expected to meet the Prime Minister who has not spoken about the Kashmir stir.

She said the central government must initiate the "peace process" that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had started to resolve the long-standing dispute.

"Now is the time to initiate the process of winning the hearts of people. Same process should be taken which was initiated during Vajpayee ji's tenure," she added.

--IANS

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