Mehbooba meets PM, wants CBMs for Kashmir

Facing five-month-old unrest in the valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday impressed upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reach out to the people there by initiating confidence-building measures (CBMs) as she met him here.

During the meeting in Parliament House complex, she briefed Modi on the latest situation in Kashmir Valley which has been witnessing trouble since July, sources said.

Mehbooba, who is heading a PDP-BJP coalition government, underlined the need for reaching out to the people of the state and in this regard urged the Prime Minister to initiate state-specific CBMs, they said. The Prime Minister was supportive of her views, they added.

Later speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said the situation in Kashmir is improving.

"I discussed (with PM) how we can apply balm to the wounds of the people of Kashmir and talked about keeping a peaceful environment in the valley," she said.

"The situation (in Kashmir) is improving gradually. I am happy that the students sat for the exams despite all this hardship. I congratulate the parents for this," she added.

She said people of the country should visit Kashmir and allow the people of (rpt) of Kashmir to welcome them and provide them their services.

Kashmir has been witnessing unrest since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8.

Though stone-pelting incidents and other such forms of violence have stopped, normal life continues to be disrupted in the valley because of the continuous shutdown sponsored by the separatists. The strike, which has been going on for last five months, has been further extended till December 1.