Have faith in Omar govt, appeals Chidambaram

New Delhi: Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday appealed to the people of Kashmir to shun violence and aim for a political solution while backing the Omar Abdullah government.

"Mindless violence will not lead to any solution. Security forces have been advised to deal with the crowds in a retrained manner but the continuous stone pelting has forced the CRPF to use force. Security forces have done a commendable job and 1,266 security personnel have been injured in the last two months," Chidambaram said in the Lok Sabha while pointing out that there were 872 stone pelting incidents in June and July.

He also said that adequate forces were available to the Jammu and Kashmir government. "Jammu and Kashmir people must have faith in elected government and repose faith in Omar government," said Chidambaram.

The Union Home Minister claimed that intelligence reports showed that armed militants had been mingling with crowds and firing on security forces.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha Chidambaram said the Government was considering political and administrative measures to end the violence.

"Central Government agrees with CM of Jammu and Kashmir that cycle of violence must end. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir is actively considering the political and administrative measures," he said.

He also appealed to parents saying "your children's safety and welfare is our paramount consideration - as it must be yours - and I would urge you to ensure that they do not join the violence".

Earlier, leader of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani also appealed for peaceful protests asking mobs to not damage government property.

Ten districts are still under curfew and there are shoot-at-sight orders for violators. But protests are still on and two government buildings in Kupwara and Sopore were set on fire. Train services between Qazigund-Baramulla have been discontinued because protestors damaged railway tracks, signalling equipment and railway buildings at Sopore station.

Additional paramilitary forces have reached Kashmir Valley to help the state police control violent mobs.

Kashmir Valley has been on the boil for 54 days due to violent protests against civilians being killed in firing by security forces. As many as 45 people have died and 180 injured in violence since June 11.