Accusing main opposition PDP of being involved in instigating stone-pelting, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday warned "perpetuators, instigators and facilitators" of violence that they would be sternly dealt with.
Terming this as one of the testing times of his Chief Ministership, 40-year-old Omar said he had his fingers crossed and was making every attempt administratively and politically to prevent any further loss of life.
"To the perpetuators, instigators and facilitators of violence and disorder and to those who are indulging in petty political machinations to disturb peace, my message is clear that my government and I will not only expose them but also deal with them sternly.
"We have credible reports that kins of senior PDP leaders were on the roads in parts of Kashmir instigating the mob," Omar said while making an appeal for building a "Naya (new) Kashmir", Omar said. Efforts to seek comments from PDP President Mehbooba Mufti did not succeed. She did not take telephone calls and SMS messages were also not answered.
Omar said "we should work together to find a solution and create a roadmap with consensus to create a Naya Kashmir where the young blossom, the youth forge ahead and the old live in calm and peace". "We have lost 20 years and a complete generation has grown under the shadow of the gun and we cannot allow it to go on," the Chief Minister said.
Omar asked Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti in Jammu to immediately put an end "to spreading the lies" about the annual pilgrimgae being disturbed. "What is surprising is that even the media has been carrying their lies about a temple attack which never took place," he said.
Discounting rumours being spread about his resignation, Omar said "let me make it clear that I am the captain of the ship and I will ensure we sail confidently to the development shore."
"I have always been an advocate of peace. Death under any circumstances is a sad affair and death of youngsters has saddened me most. My heart goes to the bereaved families in their hour of grief. I feel their pain more than anyone will know," he said.
"People of Kashmir are a part of my flesh and blood and I appeal to all the people of Jammu and Kashmir to rise above political affiliations and ideologies, come together and work with us to ensure that order and peace are restored in the troubled parts of the valley," he said.
In an attempt to reach all sections of the civil society in the state, Omar said "we should jointly work to find a solution to the Kashmir imbroglio and facilitate a dialogue between India and Pakistan as well as a dialogue between the Centre and various shades of opinion in the state."
"The party I belong to is for autonomy but I have time and again reiterated that while we have put a proposal of autonomy before different foras, we are not averse to move beyond it, if there is a solution other than autonomy that is acceptable to both India and Pakistan and meets the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"I firmly believe and have repeated time and again that the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be assuaged only by development, good governance and economic packages. We need to address the political aspects of the problem as well", he said.
Omar appealed "to all the stake-holders to join hands with us so that together we can work for a better tomorrow which will not only bring peace and dignity to Jammu and Kashmir but also peace in the sub-continent," he said.
About the recent targeting of CRPF by his party colleagues, Omar said "in one case, the personnel are alleged to have beaten up one boy mercilessly with canes and rifle butts whereas in other cases they had to fire in self defence."
"I cannot take away the credit of the CRPF in controlling violence in the state but at the same time the force has been warned of maintaining utmost restraint by the state as well as centre", he said.
In an emotional appeal, Omar said "I understand the aspirations of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. I have a vision for the youth of the state. I am committed to the youth and I want to assure them that my government, together with the Centre, is working to address their issues particularly that of unemployment and God willing we will address the problems."
"This is not just a personal commitment but a pledge that I am making," he said.
"I am confident that God willing if we all join hands together irrespective of political affiliations and ideologies, we will be able to again restore to Kashmir its pristine glory," he said and expressed the hope that his appeal to the cross section of opinion does not get trapped in political considerations. PTI
