Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday assured Kashmiri students studying in the state of security and protection apart from other benefits to start their career in the state.
Around 70 Kashmiri students studying in different educational institutions in Aligarh and other places met Yogi Adityanath at his official residence in Lucknow on Saturday  and discussed the abrogation of Article 370 that accorded a special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister asked the students to suggest ways to normalise the situation in Kashmir valley and assured them secrecy.
During the interaction, the Chief Minister talked about the importance of dialogue in democracy while urging the Kashmiri students to share their trial and tribulations directly with him to resolve them.
“We are living in a democratic society and it should be kept in mind that dialogue could be the most important medium in it. We have to make new efforts with this view in mind,” the Chief Minister said.
Bharatiya Janata Party state chief Swatantra Dev Singh was also present during the interface, which was also attended by select state government officials.
“By now you all know about UP, so if you work here after completing your education, it will benefit you. You all know that democracy means development for all on which the BJP government at the Centre and in UP is working,” Yogi Adityanath told the gathering, assuring them of security and other benefits in future.
The Chief Minister made it clear that Kashmir and Kashmiris were close to the heart of every countrymen and the government would not leave any stone unturned for their development and welfare.
“There can be problems or misunderstanding among Kashmiris but it is the right time to resolve these things and go ahead with all-round development,” he said. 
Replying to queries from students, Yogi Adityanath sought to assure them that the abrogation of Article 370 would accelerate the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“It will not have any negative impact on the people there,” he stressed.
Emphasising that his role in the state was that of a guardian of Kashmiri students, Yogi Adityanath asked them to express themselves without hesitation as discussion always brought out good results.
He also assured the students of help in college placements and gave strict instructions to ensure the safety of girl students.
“There is a large number of Kashmiri students studying in UP. We will sit with them in Greater Noida soon and try to resolve their problems with the local administration,” the Chief Minister said,
On the occasion, Yogi Adityanath also elaborated his government’s schemes.
The students were earlier brought to the Chief Minister’s residence under heavy security. The media was kept away from the event barring a news channel and it too was only allowed to telecast the Chief Minister’s address. Later, the students were taken for sight-seeing to tourist places in Lucknow by the Tourism department officials.
Earlier, around 40 Kashmiri students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) were invited by the state government for an interface with the Chief Minister, but only eight agreed to come to Lucknow. After this students from various colleges across the state were invited.