Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, May 11: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today urged India and Pakistan to make the ceasefire “permanent” and prioritize “dialogue” over “military action.”
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Speaking to reporters in Uri after meeting families displaced by relentless cross-border shelling, Mehbooba demanded adequate compensation for those affected so they could rebuild their homes and lives.
“Following the ceasefire that has been announced, the attacks have stopped. We hope it turns out to be a permanent one so that the people living along the borders do not suffer anymore. They have lost their homes, many have been injured, and one woman was killed,” she said.
The former Chief Minister visited Salamabad near the Line of Control (LoC), GMC Baramulla, and several relief camps in the district.
She inquired about the wellbeing of the injured and met displaced families to assess whether they were receiving necessary facilities.
Speaking about the plight of the displaced, Mufti said their homes had been completely destroyed, stressing the urgent need to rehabilitate them over the next several months until their homes are rebuilt.
“Their houses have been damaged. They should be compensated so they can rebuild. They are poor-where will they go? The same situation exists in Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu. Something must be done for them urgently. How long can they live like this? For the next 5-6 months, they need to be relocated,” she urged.
Earlier, the PDP chief also visited GMC Baramulla to inquire about civilians injured in the recent shelling. She offered support to the wounded and urged the administration to ensure proper treatment and rehabilitation.
“Our wounded lie in hospitals. Our families huddle in shelters. Our homes are reduced to rubble. This is why Kashmir cries out for peace, not war,” she said.
“Those who beat the drums of war do not hear our children weep. They do not see our parents breaking under the weight of fear and loss. We need homes, not bunkers. We want our children to grow, not be buried under violence. The war-mongering must stop,” she added.
The PDP president added: “I met families who fled their homes overnight with nothing but trauma. Men, women, and children-all scarred-are simply longing for the right to live without fear. This pain is not political; it is deeply human. It is unbearable.”
Responding to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent remarks on the ceasefire, Mehbooba emphasized the need for patience and pragmatism.
“Ceasefires take time. When the militaries of two countries are in direct confrontation, de-escalation requires patience. We must not become a people constantly prepared for war. War solves nothing,” she added
She recalled her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s tenure as Chief Minister, during which, Mufti said, the LoC was envisioned not as a dividing line, “but as a conduit for peace and connectivity.”
She highlighted his initiatives, most notably the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and cross-LoC trade, which, she said, transformed a line of separation into a “lifeline for families and businesses.”
“These initiatives revived trade, reunited families, and fostered trust. They were steps toward a future where Kashmir could breathe freely.”
The PDP chief strongly advocated for the revival of those measures, arguing they are essential for healing Jammu and Kashmir’s “wounds.”
“Kashmir cannot afford another war. It’s time to stop turning it into a battlefield. Give peace a chance-our children’s future depends on it,” she said.
Extending her appeal to the national leadership, she urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other decision-makers to prioritize dialogue over military escalation.
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