Omar told to act tough on 'anti-national forces'

 
Omar, who admitted that he and his government’s image had been “dented” by the ongoing civil unrest, was again told by the Centre to deal with “the anti-national forces” with a heavy hand, sources told Deccan Herald.

The Home Ministry’s assertion comes with reports that the chief minister has been indecisive and failed to grasp the situation with a firm hand. It is understood that Omar is wary of  the political repercussions of  “harsh police measures.”

The Centre has, however, maintained that the state government must take immediate  political initiative along with determined efforts to establish law and order in the Valley.
Interception of a Hurriyat leader’s conversation aimed at “instigating a procession” and his arrest were cited as evidence of “forces” wanting to further destabilise peace in Kashmir.

Home Secretary G K Pillai, who visited the Valley this week and met  CM Omar Abdullah, State  Police chief Kuldeep Khoda, special DG CRPF N K Tripathi, the Army’s 15 Corps commander Lt Gen G S Marwah and other officers,  advocated stern enforcement of curfew.

According to sources, the CRPF and the state police will not be substituted  by the Army for crowd control or maintaining law and order. The Home Ministry has already rushed in more forces to the Valley. “Army’s visibility would be kept to the minimum”, they said.