Acknowledge change in people's mindset: Mufti

Srinagar, May 1 : Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today urged militant organisations to acknowledge the change in the mindset of the people and respond to the situation by participating in the ongoing dialogue process aimed at resolving the vexed issue and restoring peace in the strife-torn state.

''There is a definite change in the mindset of the people which was aptly demonstrated by the massive voter turnout in the recent by-elections and in the civic polls held earlier,'' he told a news conference here.

Mr Sayeed, who is the chief patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the militant organisations and the separatist parties should acknowledge and take note of the situation by responding positively to it.

They (militants and separatists) should understand that the people of the state want to see a resolution of the Kashmir problem through negotiations and a democratic process, he added.

''I dont say that everything is ok here. But I would like to appeal to the militant organisations and the separatists to take part in the peace process. The people concerned should try to persuade them to participate in the ongoing dialogue process which is aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in the state,'' the former Chief Minister said.

He also lauded the people of the Kashmir valley for coming out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the April 24 bypolls in three constituencies of Pattan, Sangrama and Rafiabad in Baramulla district despite a hectic anti-election campaign launched by several separatist groups.

''It is insignificant who won or lost the elections. The most important aspect of these bypolls is that the people of the Kashmir valley have inculcated a confidence in the electoral and democratic process,'' Mr Sayeed said.

The PDP leader said it was unbelievable that so many people would cast their ballots in the by-elections.

''Earlier it was alleged that the Army and security forces used to coerce the people to come out of their houses and vote. But, in the just-concluded by-elections the people have shown lot of enthusiasm and in some constituency about 77 per cent voter turnout was recorded...There was absolutely no coercion,'' he added.

UNI