Terrorism cannot be eradicated through tough action alone: CM Omar Abdullah
STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JULY 23 (STC): Tough actions or demolition of houses won’t help to eradicate terrorism. For achieving lasting peace, it is essential to take the people into confidence and take them along.
This statement ofvthe Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah hit media headlines today as a reaction to the demolition of houses of alleged terrorists after the killing of a policeman in Anantnag, yesterday.
Speaking to media representatives on the sidelines of a programme at SKICC, the Chief Minister said that the demolition of houses of alleged terrorists after the killing of a policeman is a matter of concern. Omar Abdullah said that he understood the police’s anger, but the Supreme Court has also given clear instructions that such immediate or summary actions should be taken within the ambit of the law.
He said that even after the Pahalgam terrorist attack last year, some houses were bulldozed, on which he had requested the central government to intervene to stop this trend.
Omar Abdullah said that the investigation into the Pahalgam attack had revealed that no local person was involved in the attack, but all the attackers came from outside the area. He said, “Making thousands of arrests or demolishing houses will not improve the situation, but it may worsen the situation.”
Referring to his previous government, the Chief Minister said that according to his experience, only through the police, army and CRPF, success can be achieved to some extent, but complete eradication of terrorism is possible only when the common people also openly stand against violence and terrorism.
He said that after the Pahalgam attack, the people took a clear stand against terrorism. There was and still is intense anger and resentment among the people over the killing of policeman Ashfaq Hussain. Commenting on reports of the detention of more than a thousand alleged overground workers after the incident in the Kashmir Valley, the Chief Minister said that such actions transfer public discontent towards the system, therefore it is important to take the public into confidence in the fight against terrorism.
(Straight Talk Communications)
