Parachute journos visit Kashmir to show normalcy: Mehbooba Mufti

SRINAGAR — Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday reiterated that India should talk to Pakistan to ensure peace in the region.

Demanding resolution of Kashmir issue, Mehbooba Mufti said that when India has already talked to Pakistan to ensure implementation of ceasefire agreement, why it can’t have dialogue with the same country to get the Kashmir issue resolved.

The former chief minister was talking to reporters after the PDP workers staged a protest against the annulment of special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

She said Jammu and Kashmir should become a bridge of peace between India and Pakistan.

“This day when BJP is celebrating annulment of Article 370 across India, people of Kashmir are mourning. BJP destroyed Jammu and Kashmir through its erring policies. In 2019, our rights were snatched by the BJP government and we will take those rights back,” Mehbooba Mufti said.

She alleged that parachute journalists (journalists from outside Kashmir) have been sent here to show normalcy.

“Shopkeepers were threatened of losing their lease deeds in case they don’t open up shops. The Auto drivers were asked to ply on the roads. We have to resist this oppression,” she said.

Mehbooba Mufti said arrest spree continues in Kashmir which speaks volumes. She said government has let loose a reign of terror in Valley that needs to be resisted. “The oppression that started in 2019 will come to an end one day,” she said.