Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq | Photo Credit: Twitter

Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will play a decisive role in the resolution of the long-pending Kashmir conflict in his second tenure. Interestingly, Mirwaiz's comments have come on the day when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah was allotted the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is responsible for all the matters pertaining to internal security.

Addressing the prayers at the Jama Masjid, Mirwaiz said that Hurriyat was willing to support every initiative for a peaceful resolution of the dispute stressing that it should be in view of the sentiments of the people of Kashmir, and the main stakeholders.

"Kashmir cannot be resolved militarily or through confrontation, but by dialogue and deliberations," Mirwaiz said.

The separatist leader said that a resolution to the Kashmir dispute could transform relations between both India and Pakistan.

However, Mirwaiz reiterated that for all the progress and resolution to happen, New Delhi will have to give up the policy of repression and military approach. He further said that some steps including the revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and gradual demilitarisation will be a precursor to serious negotiations.

Shah becoming the Union Minister of Home gains significance as scrapping Article 370 and 35A were poll promises of the BJP. While Article 370 grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and limits Parliament’s power to make laws concerning the state, Article 35A empowers the state Assembly to define “permanent residents”.

All the Opposition parties including the People's Democratic Party and the National Conference have opposed any change to the status quo regarding the articles, stressing that it would lead to ending all ties of the state with India.

However, the BJP stands firm on the abrogation as Amit Shah take charge of the MHA.

