Will protect special status of J&K: Mehbooba

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said she would protect the special status guaranteed to Jammu and Kashmir under article 370 of the Constitution, as she was promise-bound and cannot betray the people.
"When we fight elections, be it BJP or Congress or PDP, we take oath that we will protect the constitutions of India and J-K. So, we are promise-bound and we cannot betray. This is our identity and we have to protect it," Mehbooba said here.
She was addressing a gathering before flagging-off four new DEMU trains between Banihal-Baramulla and Baramulla-Budgam in Kashmir Valley at Anantnag railway station.
Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu flagged-off the trains through video-conferencing from Rail Bhawan in New Delhi.

Mehbooba said before taking oath as the chief minister, she was asked not to ally with the BJP, but she responded by saying that in 1947 the state had already acceded to the whole country, which included the saffron party.
"But what we have to see is how to protect our identity. Those things which the God has given us and the constitution of India has given to us, we have to protect them.

Recently, there was a conference in Delhi where Chief Justice and all the justices of the country were present. I told them only one thing that Jammu and Kashmir's special position under Article 370 is part of Indian constitution," she said.

The Chief Minister, however, said that for protecting the identity of the state, the impression that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is very bad, needs to be changed.
"There are a lot of misconceptions about J-K. The girls in our state are safe compared to the rest of the country. The good things about Kashmir do not reach the people outside. The discussion is only about when someone pelts a stone or waves a flag.
Recounting the events of the past four months, the Chief
Minister asked the civil and police administration to reach out to the families of those who died or suffered injuries in the ongoing situation and also devise a strategy so that their miseries could be lessened.

"We have to support the affected families whatever can we can," she said.
"Those who died or suffered injuries are our own people. Reach out to their families. I should get the exact figures so that we can take a decision about their future. It will be good to involve elders and local Auqaf Committees in the process," Mehbooba added.
Invoking the rich cultural traditions of Jammu and Kashmir, she said these values of amity and brotherhood can help in combating the extremist onslaught.
"We can't fight everything with guns and jail. We will have to look for alternative means to ensure peace and stability in the state," she said.

Expressing deep concern over the menace of drug addiction in the Valley, Mehbooba said the district administration of south and north Kashmir should make it a priority to set up 'Drug De-addiction Centres' in these areas where the afflicted youths should be provided remedial measures.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that the situation is slowly returning to normalcy with almost 90 per cent drop in street protests during this month as compared with July.
Complimenting the J&K Police and other forces for handling the situation with as much as possible restraint and putting the Valley on the path of normalcy, she said the worst phase of the prevailing crisis is over.

"In these last four months, I have got no complaint against any Deputy Commissioner or Police officer. We have undergone three months of immense disturbance. While the worst phase is over, the after effects are going to be dealt with more empathy," she said.
Expressing deep concern over the burning of schools in Kashmir Valley, she said such incidents have inflicted colossal loss on the society at a time when the process of development has been halted due to the ongoing situation.
"As if the casualty suffered by the process of development in Kashmir due to the ongoing situation was not enough, we now have people burning down schools. Such incidents will not only destroy the social fabric of our society but it will also impact the future of our children who are toiling hard to shine in every field, despite the odds," she said.

Earlier, Director General of police K Rajendra said the restoration of normalcy will remain the top priority for the forces in coming days.
"While a semblance of normalcy has been restored, there is no scope for complacency. Police will continue its drive against miscreants," he said.