Chairs civil society meet at SKICC; says will take up Iran students’ issue with GoI, restrictions to be eased gradually
Srinagar, Mar 04: Urging people to express grief, sorrow and anger without disturbing peace, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday called for maintaining calm and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the Chief Minister chaired a meeting of civil society members and senior religious leaders at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre here this afternoon.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the meeting, CM Omar, said, “The government had invited them to deliberate on the prevailing situation and collectively appeal for calm across the Union Territory.”
He said that an earnest appeal has been made to J&K people to maintain peace and communal harmony, especially in Kashmir.
“We should express our grief, sorrow and anger in a peaceful manner. We express whatever we have to express our anger, our condolences, our feelings. But wherever we express them, whether in our mosques, in our shrines or in our imambaras, we must express them peacefully,” he said.
He thanked civil society members and religious leaders for their cooperation, expressing hope that the joint appeal would resonate with the masses.
IRAN STUDENTS ISSUE
The Chief Minister also spoke about concerns raised by parents of students studying in Iran, saying several parents had met him both at the meeting venue and earlier at his residence.
He said many students have already been shifted to safer places, but difficulties persist in some cases, particularly involving final-year medical students doing internships in hospitals.
“Some students told the embassy they are safe in hospitals and do not want to leave. However, there are others, especially between the fourth and fifth year, whose colleges are not allowing them to leave, warning that their academic year will be wasted,” he said.
Calling it an injustice to the students, CM Omar said he would take up the matter with the Government of India and request it to raise the issue with Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure the students are allowed to leave without losing their academic year.
He said flight operations remain suspended at present, but the Ministry of External Affairs has assured that efforts are being made to facilitate evacuation through land routes to neighbouring countries.
“They have taken responsibility and assured us they will do their best to move them out as soon as possible. For now, students have been kept in safe places,” he said.
RESTRICTIONS TO BE EASED GRADUALLY
Responding to queries about demands raised during the meeting, the Chief Minister said the participants were told that government has sought a “soft approach.”
On restrictions, CM Omar said these would be eased gradually as the situation improves. “As the situation improves, we will reduce the restrictions. For now, we are trying to ensure that there is no innocent blood spilling anywhere and no injuries due to law and order disturbances,” he said.
The Chief Minister further reiterated that the government’s priority is to maintain peace and prevent any escalation, while ensuring that people can express their sentiments in a peaceful and lawful manner. (KNO)
