Kashmir crisis: Prime Minister requests Mehbooba to attend all-party meet

New Delhi, July 11 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has requested People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti to attend the all-party meet on Monday to discuss the present situation in the Kashmir valley.

Official sources said Dr Singh called upon Mufti and appealed her to attend the all-party meet convened by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Abdullah had on Saturday written to the PDP President and appealed her to attend the meet.

"We are on the crossroads of a crucial phase in Kashmir and its time for all of us to join hands and work together to pave the way forward irrespective of our political beliefs. Let us all come together to do a comprehensive analysis of the situation and jointly lay a road map for a better tomorrow for our people," said Abdullah in his letter to the PDP President.

Abdullah said there was no time to discuss the deployment of army with all political parties, adding that the decision of not joining the deliberations on Monday was 'unfortunate and painful'.

"I am writing to you to reiterate once again my request to your party to join the deliberations of the All-Party Meet. I will be personally grateful if you kindly reconsider your decision and participate in the deliberations. This participation of yours will help us to evolve a detailed all-inclusive agenda for the future," he added in his letter.

Mehbooba Mufti had insisted on Saturday night that there was no point in attending the meeting, as it will serve no purpose, and said her party would boycott Monday's meeting.

"Omar government has lost all credibility. We should have been consulted on the decision to deploy the army", she added.he army was deployed in Srinagar on Tuesday night following violent protests, which left three persons dead and over 70 injured.

Seventeen columns conducted flag marches on Wednesday, following widespread violence in the Batmaloo and Maisuma localities.

The decision to deploy the Army was taken after Omar Abdullah made a formal request to the Central Government for help in maintaining law and order in Srinagar.

The situation in the valley has been tense over the past few weeks due to repeated clashes between protestors and security forces. (ANI)