Rajnath says rest of India's future is incomplete without Kashmir; Mehbooba says some elements want our children in J-K to suffer

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar during which discussions on the prevailing security situation in the state took place. Both of them conducted a press conference after the meeting also on Thursday.

Excerpts from their joint press conference in Srinagar:

# Centre to soon appoint a Nodal officer to help Kashmiris in distress living anywhere in the country: HM Rajnath Singh.

# Our youth are used by some elements as shields to attack Army camps, they want our children to suffer, says Mehbooba Mufti.

# We are ready to talk with anyone who believes in Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat aur Jamhooriat (Democracy), says Rajnath Singh on meeting separatists.

# Without the future of Kashmir, the future of India cannot exist: HM Rajnath Singh.

# Rest of India's future is incomplete without Kashmir: HM Rajnath Singh.

# We have to identify those elements who are trying to mislead some of our youth in Kashmir: HM Rajnath Singh.

# I have said it before also, youth in Kashmir should have pens, books and computers in their hands, not stones: HM Rajnath Singh.

# I have met about 300 people during my visit. I had said before coming I will meet anyone who wants to talk: HM Rajnath Singh.

# I had meetings with more than 20 delegations here,all want peace in Kashmir: Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

# 95% ppl of the state don't want violence, they want peace. We have to reach out to them: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti.

 

#WATCH: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti explains the difference between 2010 and 2016 violence in Kashmir.https://t.co/loGeLu2Uv0

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 25, 2016

 

Singh, who is on a two-day visit to the state in the wake of violent protests triggered after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, took stock of security situation.

Earlier on the day, the home minister also met members of civil society who apprised him about the situation in the state. They also told him about the difficulties faced by the common citizen in the wake of protests and curfew.

This is second visit of Singh in a month to the state. The Home Minister’s visit is an effort by the central government to restore normalcy in the Valley, which has been reeling under curfew and restrictions since trouble started.

“I shall interact will civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders,” he had said, before leaving for Srinagar, adding, “those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat (Kashmirs pluralist ethos, humanity and democracy) are welcome.”