Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday appealed for cessation of hostilities on the borders saying that it were the people of Jammu & Kashmir who have suffered due to the acrimony between India and Pakistan.
Addressing a passing out parade on police recruits at a training centre in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Mehbooba urged India and Pakistan to reinitiate friendship, dialogue and reconciliation.
“How painful it is when the border residents of Jammu and Kashmir should be demanding good schools, hospitals and roads, they are asking for bunkers to protect their lives,” she said while expressing anguish over the loss of lives on the borders during the heavy shelling of past few days.
Terming maintenance of law and order within the State as a challenge, the Chief Minister stressed the police on adopting community policing and a humane approach while dealing with day to day situations. She said efforts should be made to ensure the return of the local youth to their families and friends who have gone on the path of violence. She stressed on a collective mechanism by police, parents and the society in this regard.
Expressing concern over the rising crimes against women, the Chief Minister asked the police to deal sternly with those found involved in cases against women.
She said the killing of a young girl at Kathua was heart wrenching and the government has already constituted a Special Investigating Team(SIT) to probe the case.