J&K’s decisive moment

KASHMIR remains tense over the killing of militant Burhan Wani. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has appealed for calm. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh made a telephone call to Sonia Gandhi and Omar Abdullah to show the NDA government’s concern. The violence may ebb away but something has to be done to root out the sense of alienation in the Valley. When the PDP-BJP government took office in Srinagar, the BJP held out assurances that steps would be taken to address Kashmir grievances. The present Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti said she would tie up with the BJP 1000 times for the sake of peace. The Modi government should do well to reap maximum benefits from this statement. The PDP wants the BJP to abide by its commitment in letter and spirit. That means starting political initiatives which will lead to economic development and programmes. Bilateral relations with Pakistan which is essential to peace in Kashmir has been halted over the Pathankot attack and its sequel. The PDP-BJP agenda speaks of a broad based consensus on the resolution of all outstanding issues in J&K. Modi’s government claims to be inspired by Atal Behari Vajpayee’s spirit of ‘ Insaniyat and Kashmiriyat’. It will be a good idea to send an all-parliamentary delegation to the Valley. Together with it, it may be advisable to a relook at the AFSPA at least in some areas of the state. The Supreme Court has already given an enlightened ruling on the issue. Security risks in Kashmir are pretty high but Mehbooba should make it clear to the people that she is among them and with them. She won praise for reaching out to the people of Handwara which was in tumult. Her video message to Kashmiris is a step in the right direction. All parties in the Valley should unite at this defining moment.