Amid escalating tensions and increased border skirmishes between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has sought opening of more travel and trade routes across the Line of Control (LoC). Mufti argued that in the absence of such a regularised route, the youth returning to Jammu and Kashmir are facing “innumerable problems”. There are still around 4,000 J&K residents in PoK and Pakistan, according to J&K government figures. Mufti urged the home minister to enhance the honorarium paid to special police officers under the prime minister’s development programme. The state government has also been demanding revision of rent on the state’s land used by the army.

Source: Hindustan Times November 29, 2016 04:47 UTC