National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that Governor’s rule should be imposed in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that it is “unavoidable and imperative” to restore peace in the state. His statement came soon after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earlier in the day.

There has been much speculation recently that the alliance between Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party is breaking down. Reports had even suggested that Mufti might be replaced by a BJP leader. Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that replacing her would not help the alliance, PTI reported.

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He criticised several aspects of the state, including governance and how ties with Pakistan have deteriorated. Abdullah said Kashmir needed “open-ended, unconditional and uninterrupted” dialogue with Pakistan, which he felt would be initiated by the government too late. “My apprehension is that the damage done would be far too much to handle and reverse by the time such a political initiative is taken.”

Abdullah said there is “no sign of development” in the state and that the alliance had not been able to hold good on any of its political promises. “This is the first time in almost three decades that an election had to be cancelled and we are down from a 26% turnout to a 7% turnout – thanks to this government’s policies and failure.”

Clashes in Kulgam

As political leaders continue to face off about the Kashmir crisis, clashes were reported in Kulgam district on Thursday. Fourteen students were injured when security forces attempted to end a protest at the Government Degree College, Greater Kashmir reported.

Kashmir has witnessed severe unrest since July 2016 after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was shot dead by security forces. Following this, ties between India and Pakistan had also deteriorated and several incidents of cross-border shooting have been reported. Many civilians have also died in the unrest and in instances of cross-border gunfire.