New Delhi: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has hoped that people from all shades of opinion in Jammuand Kashmir would join the dialogue process initiated in the state.

In her message on the eve of the 69th Republic Day, she said the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma by the Centre as the interlocutor for the dialogue was a major development to ensure durable peace in the state rather than a temporary measure to calm down tempers as happened in the past.

A dialogue, she said, was the only way by which the culture of violence in the state could be ended.

"If peace prevails, developmental and welfare measures can take off, tourists can come, investment can happen and also new political initiatives can materialise," Mehbooba said.

Expressing concern over the situation along the Indo-Pak border, the chief minister hoped Prime Minister NarendraModi, using his stature and wisdom, would pace up his efforts so that the state becomes a bridge of peace between the two countries, ending the bitter phase of acrimony between them.

Holding that the fascination for violence is declining among the youth, Mehbooba said, "Parents, friends and even social media are playing their role in dissuading them from slipping into a path where death and destruction are the only end results."

She said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been the immediate witnesses and victims of violence. Outlining the achievements of her government, the chief minister said soon after her taking over, she had promised a review of the cases registered against youths from 2008.

"As the things cooled, I started the process and ordered the withdrawal of cases registered from 2008 to 2014 against 4327 youths," she said, adding subsequently she ordered the withdrawal of cases registered from 2015 to 2017 against 4740 youths, taking the total number of such cases to more than 9700.