Srinagar/May,7: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Monday appealed
to the Centre to find a “middle path” for ending the cycle of violence in the Valley which was consuming the lives of poor youth and security forces.
“The tragedy in which five civilians were killed yesterday is very painful. I appeal to Government of the country (Centre) to find a way for ending this bloodshed,” she told reporters at the reopening of civil secretariat here as part of the traditional Darbar move practice. She also appealed to the people of Kashmir, especially the parents, to value life. “Allah has given us life to live it well, not to embrace death at 18 or 19 years of age,” she said. Mehbooba said a way out has to be found to end this cycle of violence which is consuming young lives in the state. “The stones and guns are in the hands of poor (youth). We have to find a middle path to ensure that these boys do not get killed and our army men and policemen also do not get killed,” she said.The chief minister also appealed all sections of civil society, media, students, parents and other stakeholders to rise to this critical occasion, play their role and help in putting an end to this cycle of bloodshed in the state. Mehbooba reiterated her stand that issues in can be resolved only through a sustained dialogue between all stakeholders.
Five Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists including an Assistant Professor of Kashmir University and a top Hizb Ul Mujahideen Commander were killed in an encounter in Shopian district of South Kashmir last Sunday. Five civilians were also killed in post gunfight clashes between protesters and the government forces at different places in Shopian areas
