Stay in border areas with family: Mehbooba Mufti to those 'advocating war'

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said that war is not the last option for India and Pakistan and that the Centre should follow Atal Bihari Vajpayee's doctrine to resolve issues through dialogue.

The People's Democratic Party chief, who visited the border areas affected by the recent shelling, said, "I would tell those advocating war to stay in the border areas along with their family members and then advocate for war, when they experience it first hand...War is a solution to nothing. The only interest we paid in this war is civilian casualties on both sides. War is not even the last option."

She said the areas of Poonch, Uri, Tangdhar and some areas of Kupwara were the worst hit where people have buried their children in the lawns of their damaged homes.

"Those killed in this shelling should be declared martyrs so that they would get some recognition and their families could avail some benefits. These areas should be declared as war impacted zones so that their rehabilitation will happen on a war-footing basis. The government should give at least ₹50 lakh for the damaged houses and government job to each family," Mufti said.