Srinagar, Mar 07: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the government had suggested a review of FIRs and the release of people detained during recent protests in the Kashmir Valley following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He suggested that authorities should adopt a softer approach in handling such cases.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Jammu, Omar said that during his recent interaction with members of civil society in Srinagar, two suggestions had clearly emerged regarding the protests.
“First, wherever FIRs have been registered, the government, meaning the law and order machinery, should consider taking a softer approach. Second, those who were detained during the protests should be released,” he said.
He said the concerns raised by civil society had been conveyed to the concerned authorities. “Now the request will be made to them to take some initiative in this matter, especially considering the improvement in the situation,” he added.
Responding to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti’s demand for the immediate release of the protesters, the Chief Minister reiterated that the suggestions put forward by civil society were being taken into account.
On remarks made by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah criticising the Centre over a reported US waiver allowing Indian refiners to buy Russian oil, Omar said the senior leader had already spoken on behalf of the party.
“When Farooq Sahib has spoken on behalf of the party and all of us, there is nothing more that needs to be added,” he said.
Commenting on international developments, particularly the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the CM said that any change in government should be decided by the people of that country and not imposed through military action.
“The people who live in a country alone have the right to determine their government. It is not for people sitting in Washington DC, Tel Aviv, New Delhi, Beijing or elsewhere to decide that,” he said.
Omar said attempts to bring about regime change through military strikes or aerial bombardment cannot be justified.
“You cannot change a regime through bombing. Instead, what has happened is that a religious leader whose influence extended beyond one community has been killed,” he said, terming it a misuse of force and a violation of international law.
Abdullah added that Iran’s government structure had not changed since the country’s president remains in office.
Referring to political developments in neighbouring countries, he said governments should emerge through the democratic will of the people.
Citing Nepal and Bangladesh as examples, he said that the people in those countries had chosen their own governments.
“It is a positive sign when people themselves decide their leadership. In Nepal, too, the people have elected a young prime minister who earlier served as the mayor of Kathmandu. Now the responsibility of leading the country is on his shoulders,” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the new leadership in Nepal would maintain good relations with neighbouring countries.
