Author: Our Political Bureau, New Delhi/Srinagar
Publication: Economic Times
Dated: June 30, 2010
Intro: J&K CM Says Forces Can't Be Expected
To Show Restraint Constantly In View Of Stone-Pelting; Centre Believes Anti-National
Elements Exploiting Situation In Valley
Chastised by the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir
chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday overcame the itch to lay the blame
for the worsening law and order in the Valley on men in uniform and attributed
the on-going violence to anti-national forces.
Earlier in the day, the Centre firmly told
Mr Abdullah that painting the security forces as the villain will only embolden
those who are bent on fomenting trouble. Mr Abdullah had on Monday condemned
the action of the security forces. It be recalled that the CRPF had resorted
to firing of rubber bullets after a mob of 700 people forced their way into
the paramilitary force's camp.
Central government on Tuesday said there are
reliable reports to suggest that anti-national elements are trying to exploit
the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. "There are reliable reports that
antinational elements are trying to exploit the situation. Some militants
may also have sneaked into the valley to trigger violence," home minister
P Chidamabaram said here.
The home minister made an appeal to the people
of Jammu and Kashmir to stand by the state government and help the state government
in restoration of law and order. "I would specially appeal to parents
to ensure that their children are at home when curfew is imposed," he
said. "The people of Jammu and Kashmir must reflect on the nature of
the challenge faced by the security forces. Nevertheless, I have today reiterated
the instructions to the CRPF to observe maximum restraint while dealing with
the rioters and stone-pelters," he said.
Mr Chidamabaram said the central government
will support the J&K government in its efforts to put an end to violations
of curfew, stone-pelting and rioting," he said.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar,
chief minister Omar Abdullah appealed for peace and defended the steps taken
by his government. He also asked religious heads and political leaders to
help restore calm in the state and restrain the youth. "As a parent,
I appeal to parents to counsel their kids and to keep them at home, not to
engage forces in stone pelting," Mr Abdullah said. The last few days
have seen the death of several young people, including a nine-year-old boy
on Monday, as protesters have clashed with security forces, compelling them
to use force.
"It takes two hands to clap, to expect
security forces to constantly show restraint while you are constantly seeking
to engage them, stone-pelt them, mercilessly beat those officers fallen on
the ground...these actions result in what we are facing. Please help the government
to restore order. Curfew must be respected. Security forces have been asked
to use all restraint possible but they have to maintain curfew," the
chief minister said.
Mr Abdullah also said that security forces
had been asked to maintain all restraint possible, "but they cannot do
so if curfew is violated". He also said that the government was doing
everything that it can to maintain peace in the Valley. "The curfew will
be extended if the situation demands. These are not normal times as it is
a fight between ideologies where the emotions of youth are being wrongly exploited,"
he said.
Meanwhile, fresh clashes broke out on Tuesday
between locals protesting the killing of youths in alleged CRPF firing and
security forces in parts of Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag districts, leaving
13 people injured. With violence spreading to more places, curfew was imposed
in parts of Baramulla, Anantnag and seven police station areas of Srinagar
as the situation remained tense in troubled Sopore in the wake of the protests.
In view of the violence, mobile services in
north Kashmir and SMS service in the entire valley were blocked on the instructions
of the state government. With separatists giving fresh calls for strike, life
remained crippled across Kashmir valley, including Srinagar, for the fifth
consecutive day.
