SRINAGAR: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti Monday stressed on collective and heedful efforts by every section of the society to get J&K out of the difficult times and the looming uncertainties.
She admitted that the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley was serious, but hastened to add that this too will pass.
This is not the first time that people of the State have seen tough times but in the past also they have braved challenges and come out resolutely, she said while talking to media-persons on the sidelines of opening of Durbar in Srinagar after absence of six winter months.
The civil secretariat functions here for six months of summer and in Jammu for six months in winter as part of a more than century-old practice called Darbar Move started by the erstwhile autocratic rulers.
Since 1947, we have seen ups and downs in the state. For 22 years, famous leader (Sheikh Abdullah) fought for self determination and plebiscite but despite that he was compelled to sign Indira-Sheikh accord, she said.
Since 1990, militancy increased and situation deteriorated a lot, and the people could not move out of their homes. Later, the situation improved. 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.
Every issue has a solution. The prevailing situation is serious but it too has a solution, Mehbooba said.
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.
The chief minister said Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of India and people of the state have a right over every inch of the nation.
“It (Jammu and Kashmir) is the soul of this country. When there is Jammu and Kashmir, there is India. The people of Jammu and Kashmir not only have right over Jammu and Kashmir, but on each part of the country and they should assert it,” she said.
On the ongoing protests by students in the valley, Mehbooba said they are angry and disillusioned.
“Today, our children and our youth, whatever way they are on, are angry and disillusioned. Some are being provoked. I think we all should work together to resolve this situation,” she said.
Mehbooba Mufti asked the national media to desist from portraying all Kashmiri youth as stone-pelters and not to show discussions that develop hatred against the people of the state.
She appealed media to play a constructive role in minimizing the divide between sections of the society and act as a guide and a beacon to show the right path to the government and the people whenever they deflect from their objective.
“I request the national media, the electronic media, not to show such discussion on television that develop hatred against the people of Jammu and Kashmir throughout the country.There are some who pelt stones, but not all the youth from Kashmir pelt stones,” she said.
The Chief Minister said though some youth might be disillusioned with the system but the media should not bracket the entire generation but work towards clearing their disillusionment and create an atmosphere of goodwill.
The Chief Minister didnt take further question and left the place.
Earlier on her arrival at the Civil Secretariat this morning, the Chief Minister was given a ceremonial reception by a contingent of J&K Police.
Members of the Council of Ministers, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Administrative Secretaries and a large number of employees of the Civil Secretariat accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Minister on her arrival.
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