New Delhi/Srinagar: The crisis in Kashmir is getting worse and eight people were killed on Monday. Protests, clashes and firing by security forces continue despite curfew. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in Delhi that the state needed a political package but there should be some normalcy first.
More than 19 people have been killed in the Kashmir Valley since Friday, which is more than half the total killed since the protests turned violent in June.
On Monday following the weekend's surge in clashes across Kashmir protestors were killed in Pulwama, Kupwara, Anantnag and Kulgam.
As concern rose in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Omar to Delhi for an emergency meeting.
"We will get tough and crackdown," warned Omar.
But it wasn't just the law and order situation Omar discussed with the Centre
The Chief Minister is now hoping a two-pronged approach will help the situation - getting tough on the protestors on the streets on the one hand while going softer and reaching out to the separatists on the other.
"We have publicly and privately tried to engage the Hurriyat in the dialogue process and fresh efforts may be restarted," said Omar.
Over the weekend the government decided to release separatist strongman Syed Ali Shah Geelani who has been detained for weeks.
But with Omar himself admitting that the growing crowds on Kashmir's restive streets are not being commanded by one group, and are effectively leaderless, they may prove extremely difficult to quell.
(With inputs from Mufti Islah)
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