‘Guns Can’t Get Us Justice’: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s Independence Day Message

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today appealed to Pakistan to stop fueling unrest in the state.

“Guns can't get us justice,” said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in her Independence Day speech in Srinagar on Monday.

Ms Mufti was participating in Independence day celebrations in Srinagar's Bakshee Stadium,  just 7 kms away from Nowhatta where seven personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force or CRPF have been injured in an attack by terrorists.

The terrorists struck on Independence Day with the Jammu and Kashmir capital on high alert.

Many parts of Srinagar, including the Nowhatta area, have been under curfew since security forces shot dead a 22-year-old terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8. More than 50 people have died and thousands have been injured in clashes between protesters and security forces since then.

Security was tightened even more with separatists urging people to observe a “black day” today.

Urging people to denounce violence in the Valley, Ms Mufti said, “If we can't find our solution in the world's biggest democracy, we won't find it anywhere else.”

“The fault is not with the people of Jammu and Kashmir nor is it with India… the problem has been with the leadership of the state over the years,” she said.

Remembering the efforts made my former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ms Mufti said, “We hoped that the effort was incomplete in AB Vajpayee's time, would now be completed under PM Narendra Modi.”

Meanwhile, PM Modi in his Independence Day speech at Delhi's Red Fort accused Pakistan of instigating the violence and unrest in Kashmir since last month.

“When terrorists killed innocent children in Peshawar…there were tears in the eyes of India's Parliament, India's schools, India's children…This is our nature. But look at the other side. They glorify terrorists. They celebrate when innocent lives are lost. What kind of terror-inspired people and governments are these?” he said.

Security forces have also foiled an attempt by terrorists this morning to infiltrate into India in Uri, about 70 km from Srinagar. Two terrorists have been killed.