Date:25/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/25/stories/2008082559991200.htm

National

Mehbooba for a solution through dialogue

Special Correspondent

PDP against violence by any side, she says
“Economic blockade of the Valley is continuing”

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday appealed to leaders across the political spectrum to work towards resolution of the problem in the State.

“The resolution of the Kashmir problem is necessary and it has to be through dialogue,” Ms. Mehbooba, told a press conference at her residence here.

She said the situation had worsened since the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed-led alliance government handed over power to the Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2005.

She said while the PDP was against violence by any side, the party will not allow “suppression” of peaceful protests.

Asked about the waving of Pakistani flags by protesters in the valley, she said the administration could take action, if the law of the land was violated, but enforcement did not mean opening fire.

As for the issue of handing over the land to the Amarnath Shrine Board, she said the Centre should not take unilateral decision. “What is important? Is it the Shrine Board or the Amarnath Yatra?” This year we had five lakh yatris and people of the region did not refuse anything to the yatris, she said.

“I told the Union Home Minister there can be no unilateral decision. Let the Sangarsh Samiti and Action Council sit together and discuss,” she said.

Ms. Mehbooba said the “economic blockade” of the Valley was continuing and drivers of trucks were scared to ply since petrol bombs were being hurled at them.