Srinagar: The President of the People`s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, has asked the Central Government to use the prevailing calm in the region to solve the Kashmir problem.
Addressing mediapersons, Mufti said: “The lull we see in the state should be used to address the problem.”
“Since Home Minister is closely monitoring the situation in Kashmir, my humble request to him is to take steps for the release of youth, political prisoners and the withdrawal of cases against 5000 Kashmiri youth who were victimized for making use of their democratic right to protest against government failures,” she added.
Welcoming the latest round of talks between India and Pakistan, including Kashmir, Mehbooba urged Government of India to initiate “processes of conflict resolution, democratic linearization and institutional guarantee of human rights” in Kashmir.
Claiming victory in the Panchayat polls, which were held on non-party basis, Mehbooba said her party would use the forum to press for a solution to the Kashmir dispute.
“We have got 70 percent vote share in the Panchayat elections. It has come as a blessing for us. We have been given the mandate and I am humbled by the people’s response,” she added.
The party, she said, would use the forum to push forward its self-rule agenda, fight for compensation against exploitation of water resources, withdrawal of troops and revocation of AFSPA.
