Kashmir needs healing dialogue, not force: Mehbooba Mufti

Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has called for a shift in strategy toward resolving the Kashmir issue, advocating for talks aimed at healing rather than enforcement through restrictive measures.

Ftti's remarks came in the context of what she characterized as repeated experimental approaches by the Government of India to maintain peace in the region. She contended that police action and heavy-handed tactics have proven ineffective in addressing the underlying issues fueling tensions in Kashmir.

The PDP leader drew a parallel between Kashmir's long-standing grievances and recent civil unrest witnessed in Delhi, suggesting that mainland India had experienced firsthand the kind of turmoil that residents of Kashmir have endured for years.

Ftti emphasized that sustainable peace in Kashmir cannot be achieved through the application of force or invocation of stringent laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Instead, she stressed the need for dialogue-based solutions that address root causes and foster genuine reconciliation between stakeholders.

Her comments reflect ongoing political discourse in India regarding the approach to Kashmir, with opposition voices continuing to challenge the government's security-focused strategy in the region.