Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday warned the Centre it would face consequences if it did not correct its “mistake” in Jammu and Kashmir and asked it to see what was happening in the neighbourhood, in what appeared to be a reference to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are enduring a lot but the day the dam of patience bursts, you will not survive. You will be decimated,” the PDP leader said, addressing a gathering in south Kashmir.

“I repeatedly say, don’t test us. Come to your senses, see what is happening in the neighbourhood. See what is happening in the neighbourhood. Such a big force like America has to pack its bags and flee,” Mehbooba said.

Mehbooba said the Centre still had time and should initiate talks as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had done.

“And you should return what you have looted illegally and unconstitutionally and spoiled the identity of Jammu and Kashmir. You divided Jammu and Kashmir into parts. Rectify the mistake, otherwise it will be too late,” the former chief minister said.

She cautioned the Centre against taking her words lightly, saying if an ant flies into the nose of an elephant, the insect could make the hulking animal’s life hell.

Mehbooba clarified that Kashmir’s fight would be peaceful.

“Jammu and Kashmir is a unique state. People here are not cowards, they are brave. Waving a green flag (signifying a peaceful struggle) needs more courage. As Gandhiji would say, it needs more courage to fight non-violently. You do not need courage if you pick up stones or guns,” she said.