Kashmir crisis: ‘I do not contemplate resigning,’ says Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that he had no intention of demitting office because of the recent developments in the state.

Rejecting suggestions that his government or the state security forces had lost control over the law and order situation prevailing in the state, Abdullah said: “I will not resign. I, and neither my government, have not lost control. The army has been deployed as an aid to the civil administration. The army has been called in for peace”

He further said: “I promise the people that peace will return. I do not contemplate resigning.”

He also described the opposition People’s Democratic Party’s decision not to participate in Monday’s all-party talks to resolve the Kashmir crisis as unfortunate and ill timed.

Earlier in the day, Omar’s father and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah met Home Minister P Chidambaram to assess and discuss steps being taken by the Centre and state governments to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to sources, an AICC delegation is likely to visit the Kashmir Valley ahead of Monday’s all-party meeting.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Prithviraj Chavan, and senior leader and old Kashmir hand Makhan Lal Fotedar, among others, will be part of the team, sources said.

Meanwhile, curfew has been re-imposed in the Maisuma area of Srinagar and three other districts - Anantnag, Pulwama, and Kakpora following clashes between protesters and security forces.

Curfew was relaxed on Friday to allow people to celebrate the holy Muslim festival of Shab-e-Meraj.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti has said her party would boycott Monday’s meeting.

“Omar government has lost all credibility. We should have been consulted on the decision to deploy the army, she added.

The army was deployed in Srinagar on Tuesday night following violent protests, which left three persons dead and over 70 injured.

Seventeen columns conducted flag marches on Wednesday, following widespread violence in the Batmaloo and Maisuma localities.

The decision to deploy the Army was taken after Omar Abdullah made a formal request to the Central Government for help in maintaining law and order in Srinagar.

The situation in the valley has been tense over the past few weeks due to repeated clashes between protestors and security forces. (ANI)