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. "I am happy that PM Modi not just took intiative and invited Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his oath ceremony, but he went to Lahore himself." she added, "PM Modi took an initiative, our HM took an initiative. They went to Pakistan, but now it's upto Pakistan to respond." She also said, "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.

 

Sixty-nine people have been killed and thousands injured in the Valley in clashes after Wani’s death on July 8. Pakistani leaders have criticised India over the unrest. For its part, India has accused Islamabad of interfering in New Delhi’s internal affairs and stoking tension in Kashmir. “I want to tell Pakistan, if it has any sympathy for Kashmiris, it shouldn’t provoke them to attack police stations -- and save youth from being killed,” the chief minister said. Earlier this week, the Prime Minister had a meeting with a delegation of opposition parties from the state led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah. The Prime Minister had expressed his deep concern and pain over the situation in the valley and asked all political parties to work together to find a permanent and lasting solution to problems in the state.