J&K CM cautions people against elements who seek to divide

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday cautioned people against elements who pit one community against the other while asserting that her government will not tolerate injustice to any section, region or community.

Asserting that everything will be done on merit, she said the aim of her government is to unite communities and regions so that the people of the state can progress together like a family.

Addressing a tribal convention here, Mehbooba said the "government will not tolerate injustice with any section, region or community and everything would be decided on merit."

Apparently referring to the dislocation of entire Kashmiri Pandit community from the valley due to militants, she said the state has "seen many unfortunate uprootings of communities in the past and history is witness that nobody has benefitted from such events but everybody has suffered".

She cautioned people against the elements that derive their vested interest by pitting one community against another "in which they not only harm the interests of the state but also of the individual communities".

This is a "big challenge" and the "wise people" of the state would rise to the occasion to make the state progressive and forward-looking, the Chief Minister said.

Terming Gujjar community as guardians of forests, she said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself acknowledged their contribution in protecting forests and he is keen to better their lot.

She said the state and the Centre have released adequate funds for the welfare of tribal communities including Gujjars in the state which reflects seriousness of the two governments for their welfare.

On the initiatives being taken for the welfare of Gujjar community, Mehbooba said a concept of cluster villages is being piloted to provide all basic facilities of life like healthcare, drinking water, electricity and communication to the community inhabited areas without disturbing their ethno- cultural ethos.

She said she has thought of a Milk Village scheme under which model villages would be developed where the milk collection, dumping and distribution would be done under scientific supervision and giving the beneficiaries a good market return for their produce.