Mehbooba Mufti Meets PM Modi, Blames Pakistan For Kashmir Violence

New Delhi: Shortly after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday blamed Pakistan for provoking violence in Kashmir and also said she favoured talks with "only those who want peace" in the Valley.

Addressing media persons in Delhi after her meeting with PM Modi, the J&K chief minister said Pakistan was trying to instigate the youth of the Valley who are out on the streets fighting security forces.

Mufti said Pakistan lost a "golden chance" to discus the problems in Kashmir when PM Modi, and later Home Minister Rajnath Singh, visited the country.

"It is time for Pakistan to respond if it wants peace in Kashmir," she said.

The chief minister said separatists should come forward and help J&K government in saving innocent lives and also reiterated that she favoured talks with only those who want peace.

"I appeal to all those protesters. You may be angry with me, I may be angry with you, But please give me one chance. I've been chief minister for only two months now," she said issuing a call for calm in the Valley which has been under curfew for 48 days now.

She said the Prime Minister was very concerned about the ongoing bloodshed. "95% of people in Kashmir wants peace," she added.

Mufti, who arrived in the national capital the previous evening, met Modi at his official 7 Race Course Road residence.

The meeting comes days after Mufti and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh presented a united front in Srinagar, saying there will be no compromise in security measures in the valley.

The government will consult all political parties before finalising an itinerary for the tour aimed at restoring peace in the Kashmir Valley.

Sources said the visit of the all party delegation to Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be discussed after Mufti's meeting with Modi.

The facilitation of the all party delegation to the troubled state is considered to be an attempt by the government to bring the political parties on board of the process initiated to bring peace in the state.