Mehbooba welcomes Rajnath's statement on dialogue

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday welcomed Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's announcement that the Central government is ready to talk to every stakeholder including the separatist Hurriyat conference.

In a statement, she described Rajnath Singh's remarks, made during an interactive session with a TV channel, as a welcome step to initiate dialogue and reconciliation in the state, adding that given the positive outcome from the ground on the Ramadan ceasefire, the peace constituency in the country and the state should feel encouraged to start the much-needed process of peaceful engagement with all stakeholders.

The Chief Minister hoped that parties and groups like Hurriyat Conference will seize the opportunity and show their responsibility towards the people of the state by displaying the much needed maturity so that the opportunity is not wasted.

She said a peaceful engagement among all the stakeholders in the State is urgently needed to get Jammu and Kashmir out of the unending cycle of violence and provide its people, a secure, prosperous and peaceful future.

--IANS

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