‘Stop making J&K battleground’ Mehbooba appeals to India, Pak

'Borders witnessing bloodbath as state made basis of conflict'

MIR FARHAT

SRINAGAR: Amid escalating violence on border in Jammu region which has claimed as many as 12 lives since Thursday, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday to India and Pakistan to take measures to revive cordiality between the two nation, lest the state becomes a battleground.
Mehbooba appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as to Pakistan 'not to allow the Jammu and Kashmir to be battleground' but make 'it a bridge of peace' between the two countries, instead.
She also expressed her concern on the state becoming a basis of conflict between two countries, reiterating that it is the people of J&K who were getting killed in firing on both sides of the border.
"Our borders are witnessing, god forbid, a bloodbath. It is my earnest appeal to Prime Minister of our country and the neighboring country Pakistan not to allow Jammu and Kashmir to become a battleground," Mehbooba said.
"Our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) often talks of development but at the same time something opposite is happening in our state. While the country is developing and PM is talking about development and progress, our state is struggling and facing a difficult situation"
"Our people on borders are demanding bunkers; they are fleeing from their homes when the entire country is seeing progress. Schools are closed because of the firing; children are jailed in their own homes," she said.
"Make it a bridge of peace between the two countries so that trade flourishes just like between Uri and Muzaffarabad and the state witnesses peace, progress and development," the Chief Minister said.
She was speaking at attestation cum passing out parade of 14th BRTC batch of Constables which was held today at Subsidiary Training Centre at Sheeri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.
Since Thursday when the shelling from across the International Border (IB) and LoC in the Jammu region started, at least 12 persons, including 7 civilians and 5 jawans, were killed and nearly 50 including some jawans were injured while over 20,000 residents have migrated to safer places from their homes and around 300 educational institutes along the IB and LoC have been closed.
The PDP chief said it was the people of J&K who were getting killed in firing on both sides of the border.
"It is our misfortune that our state has become a basis of a conflict between our country India and Pakistan. For the last few days, our borders are witnessing firing in which several of our people have been killed," she said.
"It is obvious that the situation will be same on the other side (of the border)," Mehbooba said.
The chief minister, on the occasion, said the Jammu and Kashmir Police have the most difficult job in the country as they face many challenges.
"Your challenge is not just to maintain law and order or uphold the rule of law, but you have to face your own people, small children sometimes (while maintaining law and order) and that time you will have to exercise restraint," she said.
Mehbooba said another challenge for the police was bring back youngsters who were taking up arms. "Bring local youth back from militancy. Avoid civilian casualties while fighting with militancy," she said.
Referring to the killing of a minor girl in Kathua district's Hiranagar area, Mehbooba asked the police to give special attention to the crimes against women.
"I request you (police) to take care of everything while discharging your duties. Drug addiction is a big problem here, atrocities are being done on women. Recently, a small girl was assaulted in Kathua," she said.
"We had to suspend the SHO there because, perhaps there was some negligence. We have constituted a team to enquire the issue," she added.
Earlier, 472 Recruit Constables selected through Transparent Recruitment Process (TRP) passed out after completion of their basic training at the parade.
Pointing out towards the new constables, the chief minister said that drug addiction and violence against women indicates rising concern of social crimes.
"I appeal you to work with dedication and honesty to eradicate drug addiction and violence against women," she said.
While addressing the constables, the DGP Dr. S.P Vaid said war against drugs and crime against women "are challenges for the police but our force is dealing with them."
He said that police officers have held more than 1700 Police Community Partnership Group (PCPG) meetings were held by police officers. "We are reaching to every citizen of the state," he said.
Principal STC Sheeri, Farooq Ahmad said that out of 472 trainees 225 are graduates.