PM urges J&K youth to return to mainstream
Thanks him for halting antimilitancy ops during Ramzan, says it’s confidencebuilding step
SRINAGAR: Three days after the suspension of counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir for the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to young militants to return to the mainstream, as the Valley shut down to protest his visit.
Modi was in Srinagar to unveil a plaque for the upcoming Srinagar Ring Road and to inaugurate the 330-MW Kishenganga power project which has come up in Bandipora. Earlier, he kickstarted work on Zojila Tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway in Leh.
“I believe the youth who have lost their way should come back to the mainstream. The mainstream is their family and parents. The mainstream is their participation in the development of the state,” Modi said in an address to a gathering at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar.
Modi blamed foreign forces for the young in Jammu and Kashmir going astray.
“Every stone or weapon picked up by the misguided youth injures their own Jammu and Kashmir. You will have to come out of this atmosphere. Not only your future but for the future of J&K, you will have to join the Indian mainstream,’’ he said.
Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to think out of the box to get the state out of turmoil.
Mufti said she hoped the PM continued his efforts to restore peace in Kashmir. “I hope you will continue your efforts and get J&K out of this turmoil. There are many challenges in the country but this is the biggest challenge. You always think out of box,” she said.
The PM was at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre on the banks of Dal Lake to unveil the plaque for Srinagar ring road and inaugurate 330MW Kishenganga Hydroelectric Power Project.
Mufti said no challenge was bigger for any Prime Minister of the country since 1947 than the Kashmir issue. “I know how bad things were in Pakistan when you went there. It is not easy for you. It is very easy for us to say that there should be talks with Pakistan. You tried, but their response was not positive,” she said as the PM listened.
The CM said Kashmir was a unique issue where a single killing can undo all the development work. “Mufti (Mohammad Sayeed) sahib used to say this is such a state that if you make its roads in gold and silver, all will be lost with a single innocent killing. My request to you is that you tried before as well and try again,” she said.
Modi’s visit comes days after the Centre asked security forces in the state not to launch operations during Ramzan to help Mus- lims observe the month in a peaceful environment. “Not only me, but many mothers here have slept in peace thinking that children are safe. Such decisions need guts. Every person in the state is grateful to you for putting the balms on their wounds.”
The CM added, “You took one step to heal wounds of the people of J&K, people here will take 10 steps.”
“You (Centre) have to compensate whatsoever is the way, because this is our country and we (Kashmiris) are its part. We are your children, even if we pick stones or guns. It is your state. It is the crown of this country,” she said referring to the Indus-Water Treaty.
‘ZOJILA PROJECT WAS CONCEIVED BY UPA-2’
The Congress on Saturday said the Zojila tunnel was actually conceived by the party during the tenure of UPA-2. Senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz said this was a good news for the people of J&K.
“It is an occasion to remind people that the project was approved by UPA-2 through a cabinet decision on September 2012,” he said.
MEHBOOBA ‘FORGETS’ GUV DURING PM EVENT
Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday forgot to address Governor NN Vohra in a gaffe at an event attended here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vohra was among the dignitaries on the dais when Modi dedicated the 330 MW Kishanganga power project to the nation. As the chief minister was about to finish addressing them, she realised her mistake and apologised to the governor.