Don’t turn J&K into a battlefield: Mehbooba
SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday urged the leaders of India and neighbouring Pakistan to ensure that the state does not become a ‘battlefield’ but a ‘bridge’ for friendship.
Mehbooba was speaking at the passing out parade of a fresh batch of police constables at the subsidiary training centre in Baramulla district and referred to the ongoing cease-fire violations along the Jammu border as “khoon ki holi”.
As many as 11 people have died since Thursday.
She said even as the rest of India was on the path of development, it was “misfortunate” that the state has become the cause of conflict between the neighbouring countries.
“The whole country is progressing. Good hospitals, good roads, good schools and colleges are being built and the Prime Minster is always talking about development for all. Though in our state, something else is happening: people along the borders are demanding bunkers, fleeing from their homes, schools are being closed and children are caged in their homes, ”she said.
“I request our Prime Minister Modi and the neighbouring country of Pakistan to not let Jammu and Kashmir become a battlefield. Make Jammu and Kashmir a bridge for friendship,” she added.
She prayed that the hostility on border ends soon and people return to normal life and children go back to schools.
To the newly recruited policemen, Mehbooba said their job was the most difficult because it involved not only tackling the law and order situation but many a times, they would have to face their own people and confront children.
She advised that they should perform their duty with utmost “patience and perseverance”.
She cautioned against civilian casualty during anti-militancy operations and added that every effort should be made to bring back Kashmiri militants into the mainstream.
› I request our Prime Minister Modi and the neighbouring country of Pakistan to make Jammu and Kashmir a bridge for friendship. MEHBOOBA MUFTI, J&K chief minister