Mehbooba asks separatists to accept Centre's dialogue offer, says it hints at initiation of political process

Exhorting separatists to seize the "golden opportunity" by accepting the Centre's offer of dialogue, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said everyone believes the situation in the state is a political issue that cannot be resolved militarily.

She said the dialogue offer made by the Centre after initiating the Ramzan ceasefire hinted at initiation of a political process.

"I feel that somewhere efforts are being made to carry forward the political process. How far can the political process be taken, that will depend on how good the situation remains on the ground here," she said.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a bridge here, the chief minister said, "For ending the uncertainty and providing lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir, everyone including the separatists should come forward and respond to the Home Minister's offer of dialogue to resolve Jammu and Kashmir issue and other problems of the state."
"It becomes a duty of all groups including separatists to think about how to end the bloodshed in J-K which has undergone destruction in every sector for the last 30 years. Our education system has suffered, our development has suffered."
The chief minister said, "We cannot force anyone but we definitely hope that they (separatists) will take advantage of this offer."