PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti for unconditional dialogue in Kashmir

New Delhi : Jammu and Kashmir?s Opposition party PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday asserted the need for an unconditional dialogue between the government and separatist groups in Kashmir.

Participating in an all-party meet to discuss the Kashmir issue here, Mufti said, ?The starting point is that both sides should not put forward any conditions.?

?The Prime Minister has to offer an unconditional dialogue and the Hurriyat must also reciprocate,? she added.

Referring to the talks that were initiated during the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, she said, ?The talks with then-deputy PM LK Advani and Hurriyat was unconditional, it was a good start and we should take cue from there.?

The People?s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, who had refused to participate in previous all-party meets, emphasized on the need for greater communication between J&K and the rest of the country.

?People should see more human face of our country,? she stressed.

Highlighting that the measures to solve the Kashmir issue must be ?something real and concrete and not cosmetic?, Mufti also supported the release of all arrested persons to build confidence in the Valley.

?We need to release the prisoners and lift the siege,? she said.

The PDP leader also appealed to all political parties to see Kashmir problem from humanitarian angle.

The Centre had convened the all-party meet here to discuss the Kashmir situation as violence continued to rock the Valley since mid-June, leaving at least 88 people dead so far.

The over five hour long marathon meeting, presided by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, resolved to send an all party delegation to J&K.