Kashmir situation not as serious as being portrayed by media: Mehbooba

Stating that unrest in Kashmir was not as serious as being portrayed by the media, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday hoped it would improve soon as the Valley had seen much worse days in the 1990’s.

“Kashmir has seen worse situations than these in '90s. The situation will improve soon as every issue has a solution,” she told reporters on the occasion of reopening of Civil Secretariat offices in Srinagar.

Asking the national media to desist from portraying all Kashmiri youth as stone-pelters, Mehbooba said, “Electronic media should not show debates and discussions that develop hatred against the people of the state.”

Referring to the Plebiscite movement launched in Kashmir in the 1950s by National Conference (NC) founder, late Sheikh Abdullah, the Chief Minister said, “It carried on for 22 years, but despite that the leadership (Abdullah) was compelled to sign Indira-Sheikh accord (in 1975).”

“Then in 1990, the situation again turned grim with the onset of militancy. But later the situation improved,” she said expressing hope that things will improve again.

Calling Jammu and Kashmir as the crown of India, Mehbooba said, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir not only have right over Jammu and Kashmir, but on each part of the country and they should assert it.”

On the ongoing student protests across the Valley, the Chief Minister said, “The youth are angry and disillusioned. Some are being provoked. I think we all should work together to resolve this situation.”

Earlier, the first woman Chief Minister of the state took a ceremonial salute at the opening of the Civil Secretariat and was offered the guard of honour by a contingent of Jammu and Kashmir police.

The Jammu and Kashmir government began functioning from the Srinagar on Monday after shifting from Jammu as part of the pre-independence bi-annual ‘Durbar Move’ practice. Raj Bhavan, Civil Secretariat and other offices, which closed in Jammu on April 28, are scheduled to reopen in Srinagar on May 8 as per the ‘Durbar Move’, a century-old practice under which the government functions six month each in the two capitals of the state.

The bi-annual practice was started by Dogra rulers in 1872 to give a "fillip to economy of Jammu and escape harsh winters of Kashmir."

Meanwhile, amid rising militant attacks, stone pelting and protests by students, security remains a major concern for the state government. Political observers say next few months are crucial as besides good governance and development in Kashmir, security would be a major challenge for the government.