J&K CM asks security forces to counsel youths

Srinagar, April 25 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asked security forces to engage in counselling the youths while bringing to justice those responsible for instigating violence in the violence-hit state.

Addressing a Unified Headquarters meeting, which she heads as the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti directed the security agencies to ensure no collateral damage take place while dealing with law and order situations, an official statement said here.

She specifically directed that those found involved in harassing a community or section of society in the name of a social cause be brought to justice.

The Chief Minister also asked the security agencies to improve the public-security forces interface and make it a regular affair.

She said holding counselling sessions for youths will not only help allay their apprehensions and misgivings about the system, but also give the security agencies a chance to reach out to the people through community policing.

The Chief Minister directed the security agencies to exercise restraint while dealing with provocative situations.

She said that wherever restraint was exercised, it had showed positive results on the ground for the government and helped maintain peace and order.

Mufti said the Kashmiri youths unfortunately were caught in a cycle of misinformation and violence. "But they are our own who ought to be won over with a healing touch," she said.

She also said that parents of the youths be taken into confidence as and when there are complaints and the family should not be held accountable for the deeds of the youths.

Security agencies should also ensure inter-community harmony and amity among various sections of society at all costs, she said.

The meeting deliberated on the law and order situation in the state.

Comprising top brass of the army, police, paramilitary forces, state and central intelligence agencies, the Unified Headquarters is an apex anti-militancy grid in the state.

The meeting was held after Mufti's return from Delhi where she discussed the Kashmir situation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Student unrest in the valley and spiked militant activities will be top on the agenda of the meeting being held at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre on the edge of Dal Lake here.

Having assured the media that the situation will be brought under control within three months, the Chief Minister will have to painstakingly chalk out a strategy with the security agencies to fulfil the promise.

It is the first meeting of the Unified Headquarters here after last year's summer unrest that left more than 100 persons dead in the valley.