Expressing regret over the recent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday said there were “reliable reports” that “anti-national elements are trying to exploit the situation.”
In a statement here, he said: “Militants may also have sneaked into the Valley to trigger violence.” The Minister appealed to the people to stand by the State government and help it restore law and order. He said he felt saddened by the fact that lives had been lost in recent incidents.
His statement came soon after an appeal for peace was made by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. Mr. Chidambaram said he endorsed “every word” of Mr. Abdullah's statement and assured him full cooperation in dealing with the situation there.
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“The CRPF is deployed in J&K to assist the State police. Under standard operating procedure, the CRPF and the J&K police carry out their assignments jointly. Invariably, it is the State police officer who is in charge of deployment and performance of duties assigned to the CRPF. I am told that, as far as possible, Magistrates are also present when security forces are deployed to control rioters and to restore law and order,” Mr. Chidambaram said.