Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked all stakeholders to make an effort for political resolution of the Kashmir issue while appealing to civil society to help restore peace in the state.
“We have been strong votaries of dialogue both internal as well as external to help resolve issues,” he said while chairing a meeting of prominent citizens, representatives of traders, house boat owners, artisans and members of the civil society here. Most parts of Kashmir valley have witnessed incidents of violence and stone pelting since June 28 by locals to protest the killing of three youths allegedly in firing by security forces.
Underlining the importance of restoring the dialogue process, he said that in a democratic setup expression of views is the right of every citizen.
However, he said that anger should not be expressed by throwing stones and disturbing law and order as there are other democratic methods of registering protest.
“Maintenance of law and order and tranquillity is the responsibility of both the citizens and the government,” he said, adding both should complement each other in this task.
“I appeal civil society to move hand in hand with the government and be watchdogs of his government and suggest wherever a course correction is required,” he said. The chief minister said while the government is determined to discipline the security forces and book the violators of human rights, it is the responsibility of the senior citizens to play their role in influencing those who indulge in stone pelting.
He said Kashmir issue needs political resolution and this can only happen when all the stakeholders make an effort in right earnest to find a solution.
Meanwhile, the situation in most parts of Kashmir Valley returned to normal today after a week of curfew and violence, barring Anantnag town where police lobbed tear gas shells to quell stone-pelting protestors. As the situation remained by and large peaceful, curfew was lifted in Baramulla, Kulgam and Koimoh, the police said.
In Sopore, which had witnessed violence following killing of youth allegedly in firing by security forces, the day curfew has been lifted but night curfew would remain in force till further orders, officials said.
The police said the curfew was relaxed in Pulwama and Rajpora towns of Pulwama district from 8 am and there was no report of any untoward incident.