JK govt's thrust is to bring back home local militants: CM

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said today that her government's thrust would be to "demotivate" newly recruited militants and bring them back to their homes in Kashmir, and took a swipe at Pakistan over repeated violations of the ceasefire noting "nothing comes out of firing".
"Our first thrust would be to demotivate those who have recently joined the (militant) outfits but have not been involved in any kind of militancy act, and bring them back to their homes," Mehbooba told reporters here.
In the same breath, she said the security forces were well-equipped and capable to deal with militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Referring to the surrender of militant Umar Khaliq Mir in Baramulla last week after five-hour-long efforts of the security forces, she said, "The boy, who came back, had joined militant ranks three months ago and he was not involved in any militancy-related incident."
"I am confident that they (security forces) are capable in dealing with the situation. There were presence of thousands of militants (during the beginning of militancy) and today there are 200-300 militants present in which some foreign mercenaries are there," she said here where the Civil Secretariat reopened today after functioning from Srinagar for six months.
She said militancy was always a concern whether there are two or 50 militants present or 250-300 militants and that the endeavor would be to bring back them into national mainstream.

Taking a swipe at Pakistan, she said, "I hope and pray that Pakistan understands that the two countries have to live together and nothing will come out of firing."

She said, "It is very unfortunate that there have been border firings and internal unrest for over three months in Kashmir...Our people are suffering and this is unfortunate on the part of our history that we are facing this situation for nearly 70 years."
"Firing is taking place, our people are getting displaced and schools are closed at the borders and the education of the children get affected. I hope that good sense prevails," she said.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mehbooba said, "We have powerful leadership at the Centre and that tolerance is the sign of power of a government and it reflects that you are able to take decisions.