Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who threw open the Kashmir Valley’s civil secretariat as the summer capital on Monday amid raging militancy and ongoing unrest, said the prevailing situation is “serious but will be normal soon.”
Describing J&K as India’s “crown, soul and lifeline”, Ms. Mufti said every youth here “was not a stone-thrower.”
“The prevailing situation is serious but it too has a solution. Efforts of every section of the society are required to get J&K out of the difficult times and the looming uncertainties,” said Ms. Mufti.
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She said J&K since 1947 had seen ups and downs as the famous leader (Sheikh Abdullah) fought for self-determination and plebiscite but was compelled to sign the Indira-Sheikh accord.
“Since 1990, militancy increased and the situation deteriorated a lot, and the people could not move out of their homes. Later, the situation improved. Every issue has a solution.”
She appealed to television channels to avoid “generating hate against Kashmiris.” “Desist from discussions that disturb peace and generate hate and also hits tourism in J&K,” she said.
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As Srinagar’s civil secretariat reopened after six-month closure due to ‘Darbar Move’, where the capital shifts to Jammu, the opposition Congress launched a scathing attack on Ms. Mufti.
Organising a sit-in, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Ghulam Ahmad Mir said, “There is no dialogue [with Hurriyat], no headway on Armed Forces Special Powers Act, no talks on return of power projects. Schools and colleges are closed and development has been halted and tourism stopped. Where is this government going?” asked Mr. Mir.
He said his party has “the democratic right to know on what basis Ms. Mufti made the remark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi can resolve the Kashmir issue.”
Students stage protests
Fresh student protests swept Newa and Tral area of Pulwama, Aripanthan in Budgam, Qalamabad in Langate and Zainakote in Srinagar.