J&K govt to raise battalion of border youth: CM
Jammu:various deputations from the border areas of Jammu province met the chief minister (CM), Mehbooba Mufti here on Saturday.
They brought into her notice the difficulties being faced by them due to continued cross-border shelling by Pakistan and the losses suffered by them.
The CM, it may be mentioned, had visited the border areas of Jammu on Friday during an extensive tour to assess the situation arising out of the cross-border shelling in past few days.
The deputations which came from Chakroi Farm, Satrian and other adjoining villages made several demands with the chief minister for their relocation, rehabilitation and compensation of the losses.
Mehbooba informed the deputations that her government is contemplating to raise an exclusive battalion of J&K Police comprising youth from border areas.
She said the government will undertake an exercise to construct Border Bhawans in urban areas for these people where they can take shelter in extreme situations, which will be equipped with facilities of schooling, health care and other amenities.
She also assured them to look into their demand of putting them at par with the residents of LOC areas.
Another deputation of Dudi Gujjars also met the chief minister and demanded institutionalising dairy sector in the state by marking it as an industry and incentivising its operations. She assured the deputation that their suggestions will be looked into and appropriate steps taken.
CM HAILS RAJNATH’S REMARK ON TALKS
Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has welcomed the assertion of the Union home minister, Rajnath Singh on Saturday that Centre is ready to talk to every stakeholder including Hurriyat Conference in Jammu and Kashmir if it comes to table.
The home minister made these remarks in an interactive session with a television channel on Saturday. In a statement, the CM described it as a welcome step to initiate dialogue and reconciliation in the state.
She said given the positive outcome from the ground on the Ramadhan ceasefire in the state, the peace constituency in the country and the state should feel encouraged to start the much needed process of peaceful engagement with all stakeholders in the state.
She hoped that parties and groups like Hurriyat Conference will seize the opportunity and show their responsibility towards the people of the state by displaying the much needed maturity so that the opportunity is not wasted.