Mufti for talks with militants

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on Wednesday said he favoured talks with militant outfits in Kashmir.

"If the Centre can hold talks with militants in Mizoram, then the dialogue process in Kashmir must also reach a logical conclusion," the chief minister told reporters in Dehradun.
 

Also Read Militants threaten to kill Hurriyat leaders

The Union government has invited the separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference for a dialogue on Kashmir on January 22. Several militant groups are opposed to the talks.

Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen on Wednesday threatened to kill top APHC leaders if they went ahead with the talks.

The chief minister welcomed Delhi's offer of talks with the APHC and hoped for favourable results.

"There is a strong urge among the people of Jammu and Kashmir to have lasting peace in the state," the Mufti said.

He said there has been a discernible change in the situation in Kashmir. "The firing along the border has decreased, which I consider a turning point for the people," the Mufti said.

Stating that walls of hatred between India and Pakistan must be removed, the chief minister said reconciliation and friendship were the only ways to restore peace and normalcy in Kashmir.