Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on her second-day visit to south Kashmir asked the people to “give peace a chance”. She said it was essential for dialogue and development and it would have “soothing effect” on the Indo-Pak relationship.
CM Mufti visited south Kashmir’s Pulwama district to start several developmental projects. Before starting the projects she stated “For achieving the objective of development and dialogue, a congenial atmosphere of peace and tranquillity needs to be created. I seek people’s cooperation in creating an environment conducive for development and dialogue.”
She said her PDP government would work on twin objectives of development and dialogue. “The people of J-K have a huge responsibility to ensure a congenial and peaceful atmosphere in the state so that it has a soothing impact on the relations between the two neighboring countries (India and Pakistan) which ultimately can pave the way for getting the state out of its difficulties.”
The CM asserted that the government has planned a major developmental programme in the state. She asked the people of Kashmir to cooperate for its successful implementation.
Mehbooba Mufti regretted that during the five-month unrest every section of the society suffered losses and it also delayed many developmental projects in the state.
Mufti asked the police to take a lenient view of the first time protestors
On Sunday, CM Mufti at a meeting with district-level officials in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district asked the police to take “a lenient view of the cases where students were caught during the protests for the first time”.
She said, “Sometimes, even at home, kids cross the limit and are reprimanded. The cases of first-timers should be looked into. Also, cases of those facing minor charges need to be reviewed.”
Almost 5,084 protestors mostly youth and students were arrested since the unrest broke out in the valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 9. More than 90 civilians were killed and over 10,000 injured in the protest.
The police have filed 2,371 FIRs in the valley. Over 5,000 protesters are out on bail.
