Protect state from further bloodshed : Mehbooba Mufti

In her first public address since violent clashes broke out last Saturday killing 36 people, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday sought people’s support in pulling the state out of a spiral of violence, saying the killings have overwhelmed her heart with sadness.

Kashmir remained a simmering cauldron of protests on Wednesday with three more killed in fresh violence, taking the toll to 36.

The CM promised to reach out to families who’ve lost their dear ones. “I am facing a challenging task, but I won’t let my people down,” she said in Srinagar after paying homage on Martyr’s Day to commemorate 22 killed in police firing in 1931. The martyrs of 1931 had laid the foundations of democracy in Kashmir, and the best tribute to them would be to protect democracy,” she said.

Clashes began Saturday last after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight the preceding day.

“The youth will be the focus of my government’s welfare initiatives,” Mehbooba said. Apart from 36 people killed, more than a thousand have been wounded in clashes between security forces and protesters since Saturday. Nowhatta, where she spoke, had witnessed clashes on Saturday.

She appealed to people not to fall prey to those trying to disturb peace even as separatist groups extended their shutdown call in Kashmir till July 15 to protest the killings.

“We appeal to the people to observe a complete strike on July 14 and 15,” said a joint statement issued by Hurriyat Conference factions led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as also JKLF headed by Yasin Malik. The separatists had initially called for strike till July 11.

“The 27-year-long cycle of violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here, and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction,” Mehbooba said.

Mehbooba had on Tuesday urged the civil society, religious groups and media to help restore peace in the valley.

Opposition National Conference’s Omar Abdullah accused Mehbooba of failing to assess the situation after Wani’s killing, and said she was “shamelessly” trying to convey a message of normalcy in the state hit by massive violence.