Omar seeks more forces for Kashmir

NEW DELHI - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday sought more paramilitary forces, especially Rapid Action Force troopers, to curb street protests in the state that has been battling an unending cycle of violence that has left 36 people dead, including 19 since Friday, in the past nearly two months.

“Clearly there is a need to augment security forces presence in Jammu and Kashmir. There is a need to augment especially the Rapid Action Forces as they specialize in dealing with situations like this. I have also requested (the central government) for this. The home minister (P. Chidambaram) has assured me that he will look into these requirements,” Abdullah told reporters.

Abdullah was summoned to Delhi for a meeting with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led cabinet panel on security following the escalation in violence in the troubled state.

Addressing a press conference after his meeting, Abdullah said curfew will be implemented strictly and reiterated his appeal to the people to “break this cycle of violence” and help in the return of normalcy.

“People should stop taking law into their hands and attacking police stations and government buildings. Consequences of such action are often serious and tragic. I have been appealing to people to stop this lawlessness,” he said.