JK CM calls for end to bloodshed in state

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today appealed to the country's political leadership, cutting across party lines, to listen to the voices of pain from Jammu and Kashmir and help the people of the state get out of the vicious cycle of killings.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the most powerful political executive of the country, can lead this peace project by responding to the need of putting an end to the bloodshed in the state... It is high time for the entire country to support the people of the state in getting out of the vicious cycle of killings and uncertainty," Mehbooba said.

Speaking to youths from various parts of the state here today, Mehbooba said peace, reconciliation and dialogue formed the core of the Agenda of Alliance reached between the PDP and the BJP, and it was the belief in Prime Minister Modi's leadership abilities and his political clout that the people of the state were looking up to for the resumption of the same.

"Our state and the whole region expect the prime minister to revive the spirit of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's initiative and also expect the other shades of political opinion in the country to avoid falling into the trap of old partisan politics and instead support such an initiative which would get the state out of the uncertainties and herald into an era of progress and development," she said.

It is high time that young men were given hope so that they do not choose the path of violence, Mehbooba said.

"A successful peace process in Jammu and Kashmir alone can fulfil the objectives of democracy and justice in the country. India can truly don the moral leadership of the region by increasing the level of satisfaction of the people of the state by winning their trust and hearts and minds," she added.