Jammu and Kashmir's ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the Kashmir situation. Senior PDP leader and Education Minister Naeem Akhtar expressed hope that it would mark a fresh beginning in a sustained dialogue process to address the issues confronting the state. Mr Akhtar, who is also the spokesman of the PDP-BJP government in the state, said while similar initiatives in 2008 and 2010 were not carried forward, they expected that the Prime Minister's initiative on dialogue will be taken ahead. He said that they want the dialogue process to continue and it gain momentum even when the present crises are resolved and things return to normalcy in the coming days. Mr Naeem also said the Prime Minister's statement would help in a long way to make things better in Kashmir and pacify the people's anger. Akhtar said his party believed that dialogue is the only way to get Kashmir out of this crisis and allow its people to witness peaceful times. Meanwhile, opposition Congress said the Prime Minister's intervention on Kashmir situation was "late".<br/><br/>Addressing a public meeting at Bhabra in Madhya Pradesh yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to the people of Kashmir and indicated his willingness to hold dialogue under the framework of the 'Insaniyat (humanity), Jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat', Mr. Modi said that when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister he had adopted the path of Insaniyat, Jamhuriyat and Kashmiriyat and the present government walks the same road.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister was speaking the birthplace of freedom fighter Chander Shekhar Azad. Mr. Modi appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony in Kashmir. The Prime Minister said that the Mehbooba Mufti government and the Centre are working together to solve the state's difficulties but some people, who are unable to digest it, are clinging onto the path to destruction.<br/><br/>Mr. Modi said his government wants to take Kashmir to new heights of development, empower its panchayats and give job opportunities to its youths. The Prime Minister complimented Mehbooba Mufti for ensuring that the Amarnath yatra continues despite the malicious intentions of a few people.