After an hour-long meeting, her first with PM Modi since the unrest broke out on July 8, Mehbooba told reporters that the Prime Minister was “very concerned” about the situation and has asked for steps to end this “bloodshed” so that peace can return to the Valley.

Appealing to the protesters to help her resolve the crisis, she said, “please give me one chance to address your concerns and aspirations.” The Chief Minister also targeted Pakistan, saying it should stop supporting the people who are instigating the youth in the Valley to carry out attacks on police stations or army camps.

“Those who are backing the instigators… the people who are urging children to attack CRPF camps are not interested in peace. They are interested in bloodshed as their children are not getting hurt,” the CM said.

Mehbooba said Modi’s majority in Parliament offers a chance for peace. “If things don’t happen during his tenure, they won’t ever happen, I am sure that the PM will not forget to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue,” she said.

Mehbooba, according to a state government release, outlined a “three-pronged action plan” before the Prime Minister for the resolution of the Kashmir problem which includes involvement of separatists and Pakistan in substantive dialogue to work out a solution to the problem in light of the contemporary geo-political realities.

Mehbooba called for reviving the reconciliation and resolution process which was initiated by the then NDA Government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee between 2002 and 2005.

So far 68 people have died in the protests that started after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8.