While Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti talked about hope for return of peace and tranquility in Kashmir, a senior police official on Monday said that 200 militants, majority of them locals, were active in Kashmir. The day marked the re-opening of highest Government offices in summer capital Srinagar after biennial shifting from Jammu, even as clashes between security forces and student protesters erupted at several places.
Talking to reporters on the re-opening of Civil Secretariat, Mehbooba Mufti 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 said this is not the first time that people of the State have seen tough times but in the past too they have braved challenges and come out resolutely.
“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 & 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.
Mehbooba Mufti appealed media to play a constructive role in minimising 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.
However, a senior police officer offered a glimpse to the actual ground situation in the Valley. At a press conference, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Javed Gillani said that 200 militants were active in Kashmir and majority among them were locals. He said the number is roughly the same that existed last year when around 95 locals joined the militant ranks.
He said amongst 200, as many as 110 militants are locals and others are foreigners. He said militants have launched a psychological warfare by uploading videos. “It is a psychological warfare that they (militants) are trying to indulge in,” he said justifying the authorities’ move to block various software applications and social networking sites.
He said the ban has been imposed for a month and it would be assessed as to how it can be effective at the ground level. Gilani said the anti-insurgency operations were continuing in the Valley on day-to-day basis albeit with focus on following standard operating procedures.
Meanwhile, clashes between students and security forces were reported from various places in the Valley.
The clashes erupted in Zainakote area of Srinagar after army men reportedly fired in air to disperse students who had blocked traffic on Srinagar-Baramulla highway.
The students from local Higher Secondary School joined by local youth clashed with police to protest against the student arrests, in Newa area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Reports said the students of Higher Secondary School Qalamabad in langate area of frontier district of north Kashmir’s Kupwara staged a protest against the use of forces on agitating students across Kashmir since past three weeks.
Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on Magam Beerwah road in central Kashmir’s Budgam district after students of different private schools held a protest demonstration and blocked the road at Aripanthan point against the detention of a 6th class student.
They demanded the release of their detained schoolmate Sahil Ahmad. He had been detained last Thursday during a nocturnal raid and detained in place of his elder brother. Pertinently, tensions between students and forces have escalated since April 15, when police raided the Degree College in Pulwama, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Srinagar. Hundreds of students protested and clashes left at least 50 students injured.
On April 17, another round of student protests (both boys & girls) across the valley left more than 100 students and an unknown number of police officers injured. Authorities responded by closing colleges, universities and some high schools for a week, but the protests continued unabated.