Srinagar, June 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government Monday said that it may have to call the army to defuse the law and order situation in the Valley.
“Army may be taken to defuse the tense situation in Sopur and Varmul if the circumstances warranted,” Public Health Engineering Minister and senior Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin said after a meeting of the state cabinet here this evening chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take stock of the situation. He said the government would put in place a strong mechanism to “stop” any human right violations in future.
“A strong mechanism has been devised to stop any human right violation hence forth. It will be put into place from tomorrow,” Taj said.
“Government is responsible for each bullet fired by the forces. We are seriously concerned about the situation,” he added. The meeting, which was second of its kind in the past one week, was attended by all cabinet ministers, Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda, and senior officials of the government. “Sometimes mistakes do take place, at times intentionally by individuals and at times unintentionally. But we condemn all sorts of killings.”
 The PHE minister appealed the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and separatists not to “play politics over the death of Kashmiri youth.” “Let us play politics but not on the blood of our youth.”
 Even as two more youth lost their lives today taking the toll to eight in past three weeks, the government, however sought appreciation for “maintaining law and order” in Srinagar in view of the Sopur march called by the separatists.
 “You must give due credit to government for controlling law and order situation in Srinagar today,” Law Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar said.
 Asked it was north Kashmir (Sopur and Varmul, where two persons were killed today by CRPF) and not Srinagar which was on boil, Sagar replied: “We condemn any kind of human rights violation.”
 Commenting on the role of CRPF troopers in dealing with the protesters the government said it would not hesitate to call in “tougher” forces, if need arises.
 Regarding the Sopur Chalo call by the separatists, Sagar said: “We have been able to control the huge crowd. There were no restrictions in Srinagar city, which is appreciable. Media should highlight it.”
 “CRPF was called in to help maintain law and order but at the same time its (CRPF’s) role depends on the situation. If need arises, the government won’t hesitate to bring in tougher forces,” said Taj.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST