New Delhi: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that restoration of normalcy was prerequisite for any kind of political initiative to be taken by the government in the Kashmir Valley.
Omar, who flew to New Delhi to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the ongoing political turmoil in the state, said the "cycle of violence" must end.
"I had an extensive meeting with the Prime Minister. In the meeting, Finance Minister, Defence Minister, Foreign Minister and Home Minister were also there. We discussed at length, the situation in the Valley and the need for steps to be taken," Omar told reporters in New Delhi.
He said that normalcy was prerequisite for any political initiative to be taken in the Valley. He also appealed to the people to stop attacking government property.
Our government doesn't want to resort to the use of force but when people come out to take law in their own hands, there are consequences.
"I appeal to people to break the cycle of violence, stop system of lawlessness’ and allow government to restore normalcy," he said.
Regarding the loss of lives in police firing, Omar has urged the people of Kashmir to stop taking law in their own hands.
"Security forces have been as restrained as it was possible for them to be. The easiest way to stop these deaths is for people to stop taking law in their own hands," Omar said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister added that Kashmir's problem was "inherently a political one," and required a political package rather than an economic one.
He said that the initiatives could be related to the "footprint" of the security forces, return of young men from across the border and the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
On the possibility of reopening certain channels of communication with the separatists, Abdullah said, "I have tried to involve Hurriyat privately and publicly. But normalcy is vital for sustained engagement."
(With IANS inputs)
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