Mehbooba pitches for ending Indo-Pak hostility

'Friendship between two countries only way forward, People seeking protection instead of demanding schools, playfields unfortunate'

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who had started the week with a full day stay in terrorism hit Pulwama town asserting that peace is perquisite for a better Kashmir, reiterated the need to maintain peace in the state, seeking the hostilities between India and Pakistan on the borders to end.
"I appeal the leadership of both the countries to work for maintaining peace on the borders. The people of the state have been the worst victims of this hostility which has led to their killing, dislocations and damages to the property on both the sides," Mehbooba said on a tour to Tangdar sector near the Line of Control (LoC) in Karnah area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district.
"It is very unfortunate that when people should have been demanding facilities of schools, hospitals, playfields and hospitals, they are seeking construction of bunkers to save them from firepower. It is a point to ponder over what have the people achieved from the hostility of 70 years," she said while addressing a public meeting.
"The recent skirmishes along the border area have led many people to migrate," she said, adding that it is the people of the state who bear the brunt of the skirmishes.
The chief minister said peace in the state and between the two South Asian countries holds key to the progress and development of the region.
Flagging friendship between India and Pakistan as the only way forward, the chief minister said with peace and cooperation new vistas of progress and development for the people could be opened.
The statement has come as Mehbooba's attempt to reach out to public in various parts of the region.
Earlier on Sunday, the Chief Minister had stayed the night in south Kashmir's Pulwama district interacting with over 100 different delegations of locals.
"Peace and stability is a prerequisite to ensure development at the grassroots level," Mehbooba had said, while outlining a comprehensive roadmap for the holistic development of the area.
Pulwama has suffered a lot economically and educationally due to disturbances amid the unrest that broke out past year.
Reiterating the same in Kupwara on Tuesday, Mehbooba called for economic development to pave way for better life in the region.
"Given its picturesque beauty, Teetwal and Tanghdar areas could be developed as major tourist spots. This would give the local economy a major fillip like it has given to Ladakh tourism," she said.
Responding to the local demands, the chief minister said she has already taken up with the Centre the construction of tunnel on the Sadhna pass so that connectivity between Kupwara and Tanghdar regions is kept open throughout the year.
She said the state government has recommended to the Centre grant of scheduled tribe status to members of the Pahari community and she would again take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mehbooba also announced upgradation of the local hospital into a model hospital with all modern diagnostic facilities.
She also announced to start a helicopter service to Tanghdar on the pattern of Gurez and Kishtwar air services.
Mehbooba assured the people of the area that she has a "special affection" for the area given the difficulties, both natural and manmade, they have been living in.
Earlier, the chief minister laid the foundation of several developmental projects valuing around Rs 64 crore in the area.
Mehbooba directed the officers to complete the works within the schedule so that there is no escalation of cost or time.