Mehbooba quotes father, says only Modi can change situation in Kashmir

Mehbooba Mufti also said that Pakistan was responsible for the continuing unrest in the Valley.

New Delhi:

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said she agreed with her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's statement that the Modi government with a two-thirds majority in Parliament was the only government which could change the situation in the Kashmir Valley, according to ANI.

Mehbooba was addressing the media after meeting PM Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi.

Attacking Pakistan, the Jammu and Kashmir CM claimed it was behind the present unrest in the Valley, which has continued for over 50 days. Hailing the Prime Minister's efforts at dialogue with Pakistan, Mehbooba Mufti said the Prime Minister had shown the magnanimity to invite Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Delhi for his oath taking ceremony, but the neighbour had responded with the Pathankot attacks.

Mufti stressed that Pakistan was playing a destructive role in the Kashmir unrest and wasted several chances to resolve issues via talks. She blamed the neighbouring country for its lack of initiative when Home Minister Rajnath Singh had visited the Valley a few days ago.

Speaking about stone pelting on troops in the Valley, Mufti said as a mother it saddens her that some people teach their children to go out into the streets to hurl stones at others, as if it would solve the conflict. She put the onus on separatists in the Valley to save the lives of the children.

"I appeal to all those protesting in the streets. You may be angry with me, I may be angry with you, But please give me one chance," she said to those agitating in the Valley.

The meeting came close on the heels of a clear message from the Centre to the chief minister to control the growing unrest in the state.

Mehbooba has been conveyed in no uncertain terms by the government in Delhi that there was a need for putting an end to the cycle of violence which has claimed 67 lives so far in the protest, said a PTI report.

This was the first meeting between the Prime Minister and Mehbooba after the unrest broke in the Valley on July 8. Mehbooba has been under fire for failing to control the violence as the Centre has made it clear that law and order was a state subject.

WATCH: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi (source: PMO)https://t.co/SkdZQHS23Y

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 27, 2016