Chidambaram likely to visit Kashmir next week

JAMMU - Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who has just returned from Pakistan, is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir that has seen violent protests in the past few weeks, official sources said Monday.

Chidambaram has conveyed to the state government that he would try and review the situation in the state, possibly over the weekend, the sources said. Kashmir Valley has been tense as six youths have lost their lives in firing by security forces to quell stone-pelting mobs.

State Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Saga had earlier appealed to the home minister to visit the state to “rein in the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)”.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also made a similar plea during a telephonic conversation with Chidambaram Sunday, an official spokesman said.

“The chief minister spoke to the union home minister and expressed his strong concern about the recent death of civilians,” the official said.

“The home minister and the chief minister agreed on the need to bring an immediate end to this cycle of violence…the home minister said the union government is committed to support the state in its endeavour to bring peace and order in the state,” the spokesman added.

Sopore town in north Kashmir was tense again Monday, a day after a 23-year-old youth was killed in firing by security forces. Thousands of people defied strict curfew restrictions as they took to the streets carrying the body of the youth for burial.

Official sources said that Chidambaram would also review the security arrangements for Amarnath pilgrimage commencing July 1.