After Modi meet, CM Mehbooba blames Pak for fuelling turmoil
NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday accused Pakistan of fuelling violence in the Valley, following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani nearly two months ago.
Mehbooba said this after an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where she was assured full support from the Centre. However, her remarks evoked a mixed response in the Valley’s political circles.
Sources say the Centre has so far found Mehbooba reluctant to take stringent action against those instigating violence, fearing that it may antagonise voters. However, with Modi himself now asking her to take the lead, she may brace up to the challenge.
“For the first time, she clearly spoke on what needed to be spoken,” said a government official who meets Mehbooba in Srinagar regularly.
The CM said Modi was concerned about the situation, and wanted the bloodshed to end. She also accused Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif of not cooperating with his Indian counterpart to establish peace in the troubled zone. “Modi took the bold initiative of inviting Sharif to his oathtaking ceremony, and later flew to Lahore. This, unfortunately, was followed by the Pathankot terror attack,” Mehbooba said.
While the ruling PDP hailed Mehbooba’s statement, the National Conference said she didn’t have anything significant to say. “The CM’s statements indicate that the state government has no control or direction. People were expecting some sort of a statement on initiating a dialogue with the people,’’ said party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar.
CPI(M) leader Yusuf Tarigami did not dismiss the meeting in totality, but said Mehbooba should press for evolving a mechanism for dialogue.
The state Congress, for its part, stressed on rising above hype and coming up with a roadmap to defuse the immediate crisis in Kashmir. “The longer resolution can be worked out later,’’ said party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir.
Meanwhile, PDP leader Dr Mehboob Beg asked Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to give Mehbooba an opportunity to prove herself. “Geelani Sahab must think of Mehbooba as his daughter… she understands the pain and pulse of the people because she has risen from the grassroots,” he said.