Come forward to resolve Kashmir issue: Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra to separatists

SRINAGAR: Expressing hope that India-Pakistan talks will yield positive results, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today said it was time for the separatists to come forward for talks for peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue.

"Insofar as issues relating to the internal dimension are concerned, the time has come for all those who hold contrary convictions to step forward for talks and discussions to pave the way for a peaceful resolution," Vohra said in his Independence Day eve message.

He expressed hope that New Delhi's ongoing initiatives to discuss with Islamabad the entire range of issues between the two countries would lead to a positive outcome in the course of time.

The Governor said the liberal democratic framework of the country provides ample space for the expression of contrary and divergent views without there being any need for resorting to strikes and agitations which cause severe losses on so many fronts.

"The growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir has been affected by the difficult situations which have been faced in the past years and to make up for the lost opportunities, the political leadership of the State and the people shall need to work very hard," he said.

The Governor said the disturbances in the preceding three summers contributed to enormous human and economic losses and irreparable disruption of the educational schedules.