Omar may meet PM, Chidambaram in Delhi Monday

JAMMU - Facing a volatile situation in the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is likely to visit New Delhi Monday to meet Home Minister P. Chidambaram and other central leaders, sources said Sunday. He may also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

According to the sources, Abdullah would be discussing the whole gamut of the violence that has re-appeared in the Valley, engulfing both north and south Kashmir, besides summer capital Srinagar.

He would also be carrying a proposed package that takes into account the political inputs, besides development issues too.

In case he meets the prime minister, he may seek seek firm commitments vis-à-vis Kashmir.

Abdullah, who has come under fire for his handling of the situation, would be reiterating his demand for stink bombs and pepper guns to disperse the crowds. He had made this plea to the Chidambaram during his last visit to New Delhi July 18.

The use of bullets by security forces to disperse the violent protesters have caused fatal casualties. A total of 14 people were killed in various violent in the three days since Friday, with nine of them dying in police firing.

These sources also dismissed all political speculation. “The centre is ‘disturbed’ over the situation, but has assured all help to the state government in dealing with it,” they said.