Asif Malik
Srinagar, Mar 4 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday appealed to the people to maintain peace and communal harmony and express their sentiments peacefully.
Chairing a meeting with civil society members and religious leaders from across the Valley, Abdullah said the deliberations focused on consolidating a peaceful atmosphere in the region.
“We met civil society members and various stakeholders from across the Valley. We spoke about how peace can prevail. A common appeal was made for peace,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Thanking the participants for issuing a joint appeal, the chief minister urged people to channel their emotions responsibly.
“Whatever we have to express — our anger, our condolences, our feelings — we can express them in our mosques, shrines and imambaras, but wherever we express them, it must be peaceful. That is the appeal that has gone out from all of us, and we hope it resonates with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
On international developments, Abdullah condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, terming it a “martyrdom”.
“We condemn the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader who was martyred. We should express our feelings and condolences, but with responsibility and peacefully,” he said.
Expressing concern over students from the region stranded in conflict-hit Iran, the chief minister said he had met their parents and was monitoring the situation.
“We have almost provided safe houses to all barring two groups who are in their final year,” he said, adding that academic commitments were deterring some students from leaving. He said the Ministry of External Affairs was working to evacuate the remaining students.
On the security situation, Abdullah said restrictions would be eased wherever feasible but asserted that violence would not be tolerated.
“Restrictions will be lifted, but there should be no blood on the streets,” he said.
When asked about an FIR registered against National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah, the chief minister declined to comment on the specifics, saying he did not want to speak on individual cases.(KNS)
