Kashmir School Arsonists Arrested, Hope For Good News: Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed concern over the burning of schools over the past four months in the Kashmir valley and termed it "unfortunate".

"The government has already taken into custody some miscreants who burned schools. I hope there should be some good news for us in next one week," Ms Mufti said on the side-lines of the opening of the Civil Secretariat in Jammu.

Over 30 schools have been burnt across the Kashmir valley during the past four months of civil unrest.

Commenting on the ceasefire violations at the border with Pakistan, the Chief Minister said, "Neighbours cannot be changed and both India and Pakistan have to live together. My hope is the shelling on the borders would stop and the ceasefire restored."

The Secretariat opened in Jammu, the winter capital of the state, after operating from Srinagar for the past six months. The offices in the summer capital of Srinagar had closed on October 27.

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The state government functioning from Srinagar had faced continuous protests, lockdowns and curfews over the killing of Hizbul Mujaheedin terrorist Burhan Wani in July, in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir's Kokernag area.

The unrest entered its 122nd day on Monday. It has so far claimed over 90 lives while thousands have been wounded. Over a thousand civilians have received pellet injuries in their eyes.

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Thousands have been arrested by the security forces in the past four months, with over 400 detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA).