Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 16: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that hoisting of Pakistan flags and slogans in Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s rally is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated.
Mufti tried to defend his decision of giving permission to Hurriyat Conference (G) rally but made it clear that hoisting of Pakistan flags and raising pro-Pakistan slogans is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
“I think authorities have taken note of that. They have taken a video of what has happened. I think law will take its own course, action will be taken. As far as the public meeting is concerned, I think it is okay. As I say, democracy is a battle of ideas. They are free to have their own way, speak their own mind but something which is not acceptable will not be tolerated”, Chief Minister told reporters at Anantnag on the sidelines of a relief distribution function.
The Director General of Police (DGP), K Rajendra told Excelsior that there are clear directions from the Chief Minister that those responsible for the hoisting of Pakistan flag should not be spared. “We are investigating the matter and after identifying all those involved we will take stern action”, he said.
Earlier, while speaking at the distribution of cheques to the floods victims during a function at Anantnag, Mufti said he is averse to doing politics over a grave humanitarian crisis that hit the State. He said reviving the livelihood of the most-weaker sections of the society, is his prime concern.
“I still feel the helplessness of the people when I met them here at Khannabal Dak Bungalow last year. With their lives in tatters, I resolved not to rest till I remove the sufferings of all the affected people,” Chief Minister promised.
Mufti said the Government will soon take up a massive reconstruction programme to put the infrastructure back on track. “Leaving apart other important issues confronting the State, I only discussed with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi the concrete measures to be taken to ameliorate the sufferings of the flood-affected people and restoration of damaged infrastructure,” he said.
Chief Minister said that soon after the meeting with Prime Minister, things have started moving positively and he will not rest till all are rehabilitated in a time-bound manner.
Mufti praised locals youth for their efforts to carry out rescue operation during floods. He also praised national and international NGOs, police and the security forces in launching massive rescue and relief operations and saving precious lives during last year’s floods.
Chief Minister said that dredging of the riverbeds and strengthening the embankments will be given top priority. “We have to be pre-emptive in providing advance information to the people living in low-lying areas,” he added.
Mufti further said that the State is pursuing Rs 2500 crore Comprehensive Flood Management Programme with the Centre to increase the carrying-capacity of the rivers and fortifying the alternate spill-over channels. “We will also examine calamity-resistant prototypes to minimize the damage to permanent structures in future,” stated the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister today handed over cheques to 1027 small traders from Anantnag, 400 from Kulgam and 100 each from Pulwama and Shopian districts at two functions held in Anantnag and Pulwama.
Minister for Horticulture, Hajj and Auqaf, Abdul Rehman Veeri, told the gathering that State is facing a huge challenge in rebuilding infrastructure after last year’s floods.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Relief and Rehabilitation, Basharat Bukhari, said till the package is announced by the Centre, the Chief Minister decided to compensate the uninsured small-time traders and destitute out of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund so that they get a start-up incentive to commence their business activity.
Minister for PHE, I&FC, Sukhnandan Kumar, said the State Government will vigorously pursue with the Centre a special financial assistance to provide relief to the affected people. “I have visited a number of villages and seen the widespread damage caused by floods,” he stated.
The Minister for Finance, Dr Haseeb Drabu said rebuilding lives of the affected people and restoring infrastructure will be a gradual process. He said Government is first focusing on revival of business activities of small type shopkeepers and traders.
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