Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said that 5 per cent people resorted to street violence in Kashmir Valley in the last few weeks, but the rest of the 95 per cent people want a resolution to the issue through peaceful means. She said the people resorting to violence would be dealt with sternly according to law.
Mehbooba became agitated when a journalist asked her about the alleged disproportionate use of force against civilian protesters and if she had swapped her role and views with her predecessor Omar Abdullah, who ruled the State during the 2010 unrest when nearly 120 civilians were killed.
She said people came out on the roads after the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani even though the Government had imposed a strict curfew. “Had a kid gone to buy a toffee from an Army campIJ A 15-year-old boy who attacked a police station in Damhal Hanjipora (south Kashmir) had not gone to fetch milk. Don’t compare the two,” she thundered.
She said the 2010 killings were in response to agitations against a fake encounter in Machil sector while the 2009 unrest followed the Shopian rape and murder.
“Don’t mix or compare the two situations. You are making a bad analysis of what you are saying. In 2010, there was a fake encounter. Three civilians were killed. That means there was a reason for the people to be angry.
“Today, there was an encounter in which three militants were killed. How is the Government to be blamed for that,” she shot back.
Mehbooba said she favoured resolution of the Kashmir issue through dialogue and peaceful means. “By resorting to stone-pelting and attacking Army camps, no issue will be resolved. We are not sidelining the issue. We want a resolution,” she said.
Mehbooba parried a comment on the people’s demand for ‘freedom’ and suddenly got up to conclude the presser even as Rajnath Singh appeared to be comfortable to face more questions. Before leaving the venue, she retorted in an angry tone, “Thank you. Please have tea.”
During the volley of questions, Rajnath Singh tried to calm the situation and reminded the journalists that Mehbooba Mufti was one of them. “Mehbooba ji aapki hai. (Mehbooba is one of you)”, he said.
However, Mehbooba pointed towards the journalists and said, “What will they tell me. I have saved them from the wrath of the security forces. I have rescued the people from the knife on their necks. I have saved the youth of south Kashmir from Task Force (Special Operations Group of Police). I have saved them from the knives when they were taken for bonded labour,” she said.