Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said on Wednesday that the mindset of the people in Jammu and Kashmir has started changing.
The Mufti said in Hyderabad that his coalition government, over the last two-and-half months, has taken several steps to wean people away from militancy.
These measures include revitalising the administration, removing red tape and making security forces and police accountable.
"Some people had developed vested interests in militancy and there was no accountability," he said.
Referring to the growing public anger over the killings of innocent persons, he said, "Thousands of people protested against the recent killing of a legislator of the People's Democratic Party."
He, however, declined to say whether there has been a decline in militancy since he took over as chief minister. Without naming Pakistan, he said the enemy is taking his government seriously.
He said vested interests are trying to derail the process of normalisation launched by his government. "We have to be on guard," he added.
The Mufti said his government has complete understanding with the Centre on the steps being taken in the state. The people of the state voted for peace with honour and dignity, for tranquillity, for good governance and for addressing their socio-economic problems.
"The PDP, Congress, CPI-M [Communist Party of India-Marxist], the Panthers Party and others joined hands to form the government to avail this opportunity knocking at the door," he said.
He favoured a dialogue with even those who did not participate in the elections. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy Lal Kishenchand Advani have stated that the Centre would hold talks with all sections of people, he said.
Asked whether Pakistan should also be involved in the talks, he said it is for the Centre to decide. "We are addressing only the internal dimension of the problem," he said adding that if the problem could be addressed internally, outsiders would have no role to play.
Asked about the demand for greater autonomy for J&K, he said the issue could be addressed once the talks start.
He said his government has undertaken a programme to provide protection to Kashmiri Pandits in the valley. "We will continue such programmes to gain public confidence," he added.
He opposed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's suggestion that the state be divided into three regions. He said Kashmir is a miniature India where people of all faiths live together. "If they are for damaging this identity of Kashmir, then they are supporting the two-nation theory," he said.
