‘CENTRE’S TALK OFFER A GOLDEN CHANCE FOR SEPARATISTS’

SRINAGAR : Exhorting separatists to seize the ‘golden opportunity’ by accepting the Centre’s offer of dialogue, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said everyone believes the situation in the state is a political issue, which 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 CM 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.”

During a two-day visit to the state last week to review the security situation and the ongoing suspension of security-related operations during Ramzan, home minister Rajnath Singh had said the Centre is ready to hold talks with all ‘right-minded’ people in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan, but the neighbouring country should stop terror activities emanating from its soil. The chief minister said everyone believed that Jammu and Kashmir is a political issue which cannot be resolved militarily.