With the situation in Kashmir valley escalating, J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday made an emotional appeal for peace vowing to ensure return of normalcy soon and slammed anti-national and vested interests for instigating violence. Breaking his silence since violence broke out last Friday , Abdullah also sent a tough message declaring "wherever curfew has been imposed it will be enforced strictly."
"The cycle of violence has to stop," the Chief Minister told reporters on a day when violence spread to Anantnag in South Kashmir in which three youths who were part of a stone-pelting protesting mob died in firing allegedly by the CRPF. With today's deaths, eight teenaged boys have lost their lives in the last five days in incidents of fatal shootings involving security forces.
Abdullah said the present protests in the Valley which has led to "difficult times" for the people of the state was not a result of bad governance but due to convergence of anti-national forces and vested interests to foment trouble. He appealed to the people of the state not to get swayed by elements instigating violence and to respect the curfew in areas where it has been enforced.
Regretting the recent killings in the Valley, he sought cooperation of political parties and religious heads for early return of normalcy. In a stern message, Abdullah said though security force have been directed to maintain utmost restraint, they will have to enforce curfew strictly.
"My appeal to parents of the valley is not to allow their wards on the streets where curfew has been imposed," he said. "It requires two hands to clap," he said. Abdullah addressed the media after a meeting with Governor N N Vohra during which he discussed the prevailing security situation.
Omar called on the Governor at the Raj Bhawan this evening and the two discussed various aspects of the security situation in the state particularly in the backdrop of the recent and ongoing developments in the state, an official spokesman said. PTI
The Chief Minister said his government had a duty to perform which included bringing normalcy to the state. "I appeal to all political parties to support the government and make a common platform to address the problem."
Asked how was it possible for the separatists to give a call to people to join protests, Omar said, "My government did not give 'Sopore Chalo' call yesterday. You people (media) also know how they operate. Recently a timetable for protests was released by a separatist leader." This has come as per a well-thought of plan to "disrupt" the state government's functioning, he said.
He also denied that the state police or government was at loggerheads with the CRPF, saying "there were minor aberrations which are being addressed." PTI
