Jammu & Kashmir chief-minister Mehbooba Mufti has opined that killing terrorists alone won’t help resolve the Kashmir issue.

Mufti, daughter of former Union Home Minister and Jammu & Kashmir chief-minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, was presiding over the passing out parade of 947 newly recruited policemen at the Police Training College in Kashmir yesterday.  Speaking on the occasion, the 58-year old chief-minister said that killing the terrorist alone won’t resolve the long-pending Kashmir issue.

“We ought to approach the issue in a humanitarian basis and understand the basic reasons which push youth into taking up militancy/insurgency.  We shouldn’t be adamant in adopting a tough stance/attitude towards militants and quelling terrorism.  A softer approach is needed; withdrawing cases against those who indulged in stone-pelting against security forces recently is an example in this regard.

"Youths and boys who throw stones should be offered counselling to avoid this habit.  I recently met a few who suffered rubber bullet injuries at the hands of security forces; most of them were below 15.  After terrorism, the biggest threat facing is violence against women, drug smuggling, etc.,” said the Junior Mufti.

It may be noted that Mufti is in alliance with the BJP, which rules at the Centre and which has divergent views in quelling terrorism with an iron hand.