Ceasefire, dialogue offer opportunity to save J&K from bloodshed: Mehbooba

Srinagar: Asking the separatists to come forward for talks and save the state from "bloodshed", Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti termed on Sunday the unilateral ceasefire and the offer of dialogue by the Centre as an opportunity that does not come every day.

"The people of Kashmir and the leadership here have to decide on the opportunity provided by the Centre in terms of unilateral ceasefire, which stopped the bloodshed here, and then the readiness for dialogue, how we benefit from it?" Mehbooba said, while addressing a convention of her Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mehbooba said the ceasefire and talks offer an opportunity to the separatists to stop bloodshed in the northern Indian state.

"There are other parties who are not in the mainstream, and if they have some other agenda, they have an opportunity now if they want to stop bloodshed in J&K. We always say that there has to be a political solution to J&K and the army or CRPF or police cannot resolve it.

"It can only be resolved politically thorough dialogue. And when there is an offer of dialogue from the Centre, I request all stake holders to come forward to save J&K and its economy, she said.

While the Centre announced unilateral ceasefire for the holy month of Ramazan, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently said the Centre was ready to talk to separatists in the Valley if they are willing for a dialogue.

The chief minister said while she cannot force the separatists, they have to think on giving the youth in Kashmir a way out from the stone and gun culture. "We cannot force you or give you a dictation, but can only request... Even a day before yesterday (Friday) a youth got killed after he came under a vehicle during stone-pelting. He was an orphan but why take to stone-pelting? Why not give them a way out from this morass, from stone or gun culture? she said.

Putting the onus on the separatists, Mehbooba said the mainstream parties in the state gave them an opportunity by providing an atmosphere for talks and now it was up to the separatists to take advantage of the opportunity.

"We, mainstream parties, gave you unilateral ceasefire and an atmosphere for talks, now it is up to you - the separatists. I request them that it is an opportunity, that you always say that military solution is no solution and only dialogue is the way forward to achieve a political solution. So, today you have an offer of dialogue.

"They (Centre) are saying come and talk to us. I think if J&K has to be taken out of this morass and difficult time, then all be it mainstream parties or separatists have to come forward and use this opportunity. Such an opportunity does not come every day," she said.

"I request all the leaders (separatists) you are very tall leaders - but right now use this opportunity of talks to save J&K. Come forward and talk."