"Forces that are holding the Valley hostage and spreading fear need to be confronted head on to realise the dream of a khushhaal Jammu and Kashmir," J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a hardening of stand after Monday's terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims.
Her remarks on Thursday came as separatists called for ending bloodshed. Mehbooba invoked the memory of 21 Kashmiris, killed during the 1931 uprising, to call people to fight those spreading fear.
There has been nationwide outrage after the Amarnath attack. The Centre is likely to address the Opposition today about the attack.
"The best way to remember the sacrifices of these martyrs is that the people of the state work together in strengthening the democratic, secular and tolerant system set up after struggles by our forefathers," Mehbooba said.
The 21 Kashmiris were killed by the army of Maharaja Hari Singh when J&K was a princely state. July 13 is the only day when both the ruling and the separatist groups are "on the same page". While mainstream parties believe the martyrs's mission was achieved when the monarchy ended, separatists claim that the struggle continues since Kashmir remains an unresolved issue.
Mehbooba hoped that the clouds of uncertainty and violence would soon give way to reconciliation, peace and mutual trust. "It was satisfying that the people of the state, cutting across ideological divides, were unequivocal in condemning the dastardly act of violence against the Amarnath Yatris. We have sent a message to the entire world that Kashmiriyat is alive. And people will not tolerate anything that is against the ethos of Kashmiriyat," she said.
Earlier, the separatists called for an end to bloodshed, apparently realising that growing radicalisation is turning some Kashmiri youths towards a fight for "Caliphate and Shari'a".
"Bloodshed on all sides is uncalled for, unfortunate and painful... and should stop... that can happen only when the reality of Kashmir is accepted, and the ways and means of resolving the dispute are addressed by the Indian State," said the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL).
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