Jammu,
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti attended a youth convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) here today. As some political parties and fringe groups are politicising the rape and murder of eight-year-old girl in Kathua, Mehbooba, in a veiled attack on her coalition partner BJP, said the gruesome act was being given a communal colour.

“In Kathua, a big incident happened when an eight-year-old was raped and killed. However, unfortunately today that is being given a religious colour,” Mehbooba said.

She asked the youth to defeat the nefarious designs of the people who were hell bent upon hurting the peace in Jammu. “I am hopeful that the people of Jammu will continue to maintain the peace,” Mehbooba added.

“The Sunjuwan attack was also an attack on the peace and harmony between the Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs of Jammu. The youth should be aware of all these acts of divisions,” the CM said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the situation in the state, the she said despite being rich in resources, J&K continues to lag behind in development and other sectors. “We want to open schools and colleges in border areas but due to shelling we have to construct bunkers. Similarly, we want development in the Valley but due to infiltration we have to deal with militancy first,” she added. “However, there is only one solution to this problem and that is to open all borders so that J&K is exposed to other parts of the world,” she said, adding, “No one can take or give land and opening routes is the only solution.”