Reminding promises of yore, Mehbooba urges Pak to help end bloodshed in J&K

TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/15/2018 1:17:35 AM Front Page

Asks cops to undertake parenting, be more humane while policing

JAMMU: Reiterating that people of Jammu and Kashmir have been the worst victims of bitter relations between India and Pakistan, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday reminded Pakistan about the promise its former president Pervez Musharraf had made to former prime minister AB Vajpayee to maintain peace along the borders, while urging it to extend help in ending the bloodshed in the state.
Mehbooba also appealed to India to give up confrontation with Pakistan and expressed the hope that the present acrimonious discourse between the two neighbouring countries would give way to a discourse of harmony, peace and friendship.
"Musharraf had made a promise to Vajpayee about maintaining peace along the borders, to stop infiltration of militants and not to use Pakistan soil against India," she said, urging it to remain true to the promises.
"I hope Pakistan government and its Army would extend the hand of friendship to help end the bloodshed in the state," she said.
"We have to restart the reconciliation process with Pakistan and you (India) have a bigger role in the process in Jammu and Kashmir," Mufti said, while addressing the attestation- cum-passing out parade of 911 police recruits at the subsidiary police training centre in Talwara in Reasi district.
"We are not able to stop the infiltration of militants completely. If we kill 200 militants, 200 others come. IED and suicide attacks add to our miseries," she added.
Mufti said she hoped that they understood it and "as Vajpayee used to say that we will address Kashmir on humanitarian grounds, Pakistan will extend its support to help end the bloodshed in the state".
"What is the reason for the confrontation? A piece of land...Help in saving the lives of the people. Use the money spent on fighting for the betterment of the people and give good hospitals, schools and roads so that we can also live in peace," she said.
She expressed displeasure over the provocative statements coming from both sides.
"Eant ka jawab pathher se denge (we will respond to a brick by throwing a stone)...Whenever a bullet is fired, someone loses their life," she said.
"These are our challenges. These challenges were there for the last 70 years but took the shape of the gun over the last three decades," she said demanding an end to these provocative statements.
She said Vajpayee's statement that "we can change our friends but not neighbours" holds the key to moving forward.
Mufti said there were a number of problems in restoring peace as without it there would be no development in the state.
"Today our border villagers are living in fear and we are talking about constructing bunkers for them instead of concentrating on giving them good living conditions," she said.
While listing various steps taken by her government for the betterment of the police force, Mehbooba commended the state police personnel.
"The Jammu and Kashmir Police is the best force as it is faced with an extraordinary law and order situation. Your role is to pull out the state from this difficult phase and restore peace."
Asking Police to play an active role in furthering the reconciliation process in the State, the Chief Minister asked the officers and jawans to be more humane while enforcing writ of the law on the ground.
She advised them to undertake the role of parenting more than that of policing while dealing with situations.
"In this challenge, you have to face your own people. A 15-year-old boy with a stone in his hand stands up to challenge your authority. What will you do? Your work is difficult and sensitive but I'm hopeful that you will meet the challenge," she said.
Earlier, 911 jawans passed out today from the Subsidiary Training Centre, Talwara after completing the Basic Training for Recruit Constables. Earlier since its establishment, 11851 jawans have passed out from the training Centre.
The Chief Minister also complimented the young constables for joining the duties saying that it was a matter of pride that these boys have come through a transparent recruitment process and most of them are highly qualified.
Besides DGP Dr S P Vaid, Minister of State for Finance & Planning, Ajay Nanda; senior Police officers; officers of district administration and Army and family members of the passing out jawans were present on the occasion.


Comment on this Story