Srinagar Feb 8: Top police officials came face to face with “stone pelters” here in old city on Tuesday.
 Officials held a discussion with nearly 150 youth, who police described as “stone pelters,” at Nowhatta, hub of stone pelting.
 The entire police top brass including Inspector General Kashmir range, S M Sahai, Deputy Inspector General, Central Kashmir Range, Abdul Gani Mir, SSP Srinagar, Syed Ashiq Bukhari, SP North city, Showkat Shah and other officers were also present on the occasion. 
 “First time we had a face to face discussions with them,” the SSP Srinagar Syed Ashiq Bukhari told Greater Kashmir. “Actually there is a communication gap between youth and police. We want to reduce that. To hold discussion with them was the first step.”
 Bukhari said police listened to the demands of “stone pelters.”
 “They have many demands,” he said. “We too had some and asked them to agree. We accepted some conditions, not all”.
 He said on the occasion police announced to open a youth club and career counseling centre for the youth.
 “We feel it will restore confidence among police,” Bukhari said. Asked as to why the youth resort to protests and stone pelting, SSP remained tight lipped.
 The discussion remained a solitary affair between police and protesters. There was no media allowed. Police had also arranged a lunch for them.
 “We asked them that we will organize cricket tournaments, open computer  centres and libraries,” a police officer part of the meeting said. “But our condition is that they should not pelt stones”.
 On the other hand, stone pelters said police was following a carrot and stick policy. “When I was lodged in jail after being charged, I was kicked there. They hurled invectives I am still enlisted,” a protester who attended the meeting said. “They said we will form youth clubs and create counseling centres. But we don’t think it will solve the problem. If the killings will continue without any body being held accountable what will we do? We have to raise our voice. I think Kashmir is a political problem and human rights violations will not stop till it is resolved”.
 Protesters said police had many a times said “They have found majority of  stone pelters are uneducated”. “So how come counseling and computers career will help”

Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST