Omar resolves to de-escalate tension in Valley

New Delhi : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday expressed his conviction to de-escalate tension in the disturbed areas and work in harmony with the Centre to find a solution to the Kashmir problem.

? The Jammu and Kashmir government will take gradual steps to de-escalate tension in the disturbed areas. I will hold a meeting of the unified command later this week in which we will discuss the modalities of reducing the footprints of security forces in cities, particularly the areas that have been designated as disturbed areas,?? the chief minister told NDTV.

?Army cannot alone get to decide what can and cannot be done,?? he reportedly said.

“I myself had a high-level meeting in the state today, working out the modalities of reopening schools and colleges from Monday onwards. The exam schedule of students is to be released and we hope that the parents, students and the society will cooperate with us so that schools can reopen and our
children do not lose one year,?? he further opined.

Earlier in the day, the Centre announced appointing a group of interlocutors on Kashmir to initiate sustained dialogue with all groups and people of the Valley.

?Government of India will appoint a group of interlocutors under an eminent person to begin the process of a sustained dialogue including political groups, youth bodies as well,? Union Home minister P Chidambaram said here.

Chidambaram also informed that the Centre will ask the state government to release all students detained for stone-pelting and protests and also withdraw all charges against them.

?Schools and colleges will be reopened and all detained students will be released,? he said, adding, ?Rs 100 crore additional Central assistance will be given for educational grants for schools.?

The Centre will also give ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to families of those killed in the unrest since June this year.

The Valley had been witnessing a rising violence in recent times necessitating imposition of curfew in the terror-torn parts with both the Centre and state trying to work in harmony to restore peace.

The current unrest in the Valley that has claimed more than 105 lives since mid-June.