Separatists need to be engaged in talks without delay, says Mehbooba

SRINAGAR: A day before the all-party delegation reaches Srinagar, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti reiterated the urgency of initiating an unconditional and productive

SRINAGAR: A day before the all-party delegation reaches Srinagar, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti reiterated the urgency of initiating an unconditional and productive dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference to resolve the Kashmir issue.

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“The country’s political leadership must, without any further delay, reach out and engage all sections of society, including the leaders of the Hurriyat Conference, in a productive dialogue process to resolve the issue and make peace a reality in J&K,” Mehbooba said.

She also wrote letters to separatist groups and asked them to take the lead and engage with the all-party delegation. The CM has asked separatists to suggest a time and place according to their convenience to meet the delegation.

In an attempt to reach out to the people, Mehbooba visited the village to offer condolences to the family of Mashooq Ahmad Sheikh, who was killed in firing with security forces last month.

This is the first time since the unrest after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani that the CM visited the house of a victim.

According to PDP officials, Mehbooba wanted to create a conducive atmosphere before the delegation lands in the Valley.

Speaking to the villagers, Mehbooba said it was perhaps for the first time that the Kashmir issue was discussed at several forums and levels, including Parliament and all-party meetings. “The need of the hour is to build on this larger political consensus within the country and initiate tangible measures to address the issue,” she added.

The all-party delegation headed by home minister Rajnath Singh is likely to reach the Valley at 9am and meet Mehbooba and governor NN Vohra.

Kashmir traders bodies and doctors associations have also boycotted the meeting.