Not every youth is a stone-pelter: Mehbooba
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Monday said that not every youth in Kashmir is a stone-pelter and that the Jammu and Kashmir state was crown of India.
Speaking to reporters on the side-lines of the opening of the Civil Secretariat offices in Srinagar today, Mehbooba called upon making efforts to take the state out of the “difficult times and the looming uncertainties.’’
She said this is not the first time that people of the state have seen tough times but in the past also they have braved challenges, but came out resolutely.
Chief Minister reminded that many “highs and lows have come in the chequered history of the state’’ but the people through “sheer resolve came out of every difficult situation with resilience.’’
“The two decade long turmoil of yesteryears had to be concluded through a series of dialogues and negotiations. I remember 1996 when it was difficult to even conduct a public meeting. But people have come out of that and would also pass through the present times with resilience,” she said and appealed for collective and vigilant efforts by every section of the society in this regard.
Terming youth as an asset and a promise for a better future, the Chief Minister said the youth of the state have “made us proud in all fields they went and competed.” “Be it studies, sports or competitive exams, our youth have performed so well to hold our heads high”, she said and asked them to exhibit their potential in any corner of the country.
“Jammu and Kashmir is a jewel in the crown of India and our youth have the whole canvas of the country available to display their talent in whatever field they take the plunge”, she said and added that education is a movement which leads a society from darkness towards light.
Mufti appealed to the national media to “stop spreading hate’’ through their debates and programmes in which she said all Kashmiris are labelled as stone pelters and asked to restraint from showing such programmes.
“By portraying every Kashmiri as a stone pelter you are creating hatred for Kashmiri people in the hearts of Indians across the country,’’ she said.
CM appealed for calm at a time when the entire Kashmir Valley has witnessed unprecedented demonstrations led by students, including girls, who have been protesting against alleged security clampdowns on students in South Kashmir.
Student protests have become a new challenge for the administration in Kashmir here as the law and order situation has only deteriorated after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July 2016.
Even on the day Darbar move offices were opened, school students clashed with security forces during a protest march held in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district against the alleged high-handedness of security personnel.
The recent bout of protests was triggered by a police raid on government Degree College in Pulwama on April 15. Students, including girls, from schools and colleges, have participated in the protests in large numbers.
Authorities were forced to suspend classes in higher educational institutions for over a week last month as a precautionary measure and a number of students were arrested during clashes in Srinagar and elsewhere in the valley.
KV Correspondent
