Separatist groups in Kashmir on Wednesday asked legislators of the Peoples Democratic Party to "abandon" Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and join them. Leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani (pictured above), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik circulated a joint resolution through email, asking political leaders in the Valley to support "their people", PTI reported.

"Mehbooba Mufti has failed as did Omar Abdullah in 2010 and since she can't stop loss of human life her MLAs should abandon her and come back to their people. The red line of such brutal killings transcends political and ideological differences. Introspect and come back to be with your people," read the joint resolution.

The separatist groups also urged for peace in the state. "To the perpetrators we issue an immediate ultimatum to put a stop to firing, killings, maiming and blinding," said the leaders.

Kashmir has witnessed violent protests since July 8 when Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was gunned down by security forces. More than 40 people have died in clashes, and curfew has been imposed in 10 districts of the state for more than 10 days now. Authorities had also clamped down on local media, after which newspapers in the state have not been sold for four days.