JKDF welcomes India-Pak peace process,urges to resolve Kashmir issue

Srinagar, May 10 (UNI) Hailing the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum (DF) chief Pandit Bushan Bazaz said the time is ripe to resolve the Kashmir issue amicably.

Let India and Pakistan take advantage of the situation and resolve the dispute peacefully with the active involvement of people on both sides of the Line of Control(LoC), ''Mr Bazaz said on the occasion of 26th death anniversary of late Mrs Badri Bazaz, founder chairperson of DF.

He urged the two nations to provide democratic space to Kashmiris living on other sides of LoC to create a conducive atmosphere for the discussion.

The Kashmiri pandit leader appealed the countries ''behave as friends'' and take advantage of the situation wherein people like United Jehad Council (UJC) Chairman Sayed Salahuddin are showing maturity and political vision.

He accused the mainstream parties, including the Congress, National Conference and BJP of exploiting the people of state since 1947.

The JKDF chief said his party strongly believes that both the countries should go in for federal system at the grassroots level which would help to bring stability by putting an end to violence and separatist tendencies on both the sides.

''The Centre and the state government should make serious and determined efforts for early return of Kashmiri pandits to their land of birth,'' Bazaz said.

The return of members of the migrants would ''restore Kashmir's glory'' known across the world for its brotherhood, peace, secularism and non violence, he added.

UNI