Omar asks separatist groups to come forward for talks

Srinagar, Mar 22 (PTI) Ahead of Parliamentary elections
in India, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
Sunday asked separatist groups including Hurriyat Conference
to come forward for talks or refrain from instigating the
people against his Government which "believed in action rather
than theatrics".

"They should come forward to the dialogue table. My
Government is serious about improving the life of people of
the state. The frequent hartal calls are hampering the life
of people and this will not be tolerated," Omar told PTI here.

"Mirwaiz Umer Farooq is from the young generation. There
are other separatist leaders today of my age. All they need is
to come forward and discuss their issues. We have met at
several television shows and in international conferences,
then why not now. My government believes in action rather than
theatrics," Omar said.

Referring to the recent action taken by the Army and
CRPF against its personnel for "killings of civilians", the
Chief Minister said it should act as a "deterrent" and help
the state government in achieving "zero-tolerance" in real
sense rather than on papers.

"Security forces in the state are well aware of
upholding human rights while fighting militancy in the state.
Certain elements within the forces believe that they do not
fall within the ambit of Standing Operating Procedure," Omar
said.

"I want to tell them that they are not above law. Even
the institutions like army and para-military forces do not
agree to the kind of misdeeds by these black sheep," the Chief
Minister added.

In an apparent dig at previous Mufti Sayeed government,
Omar said the role of his government was self-demonstrative
that "we believe in action rather than theatrics. We don't
call our policy a healing touch which remained only on papers.
My government believes in showing the difference on ground."

On the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, he
said, "I am the first sitting Chief Minister, who has said on
the Floor of state assembly that this government will ensure
the continuance of the present situation which in turn will
lead to scraping off of the Act during the term of the present
government."

The Chief Minister refrained from commenting on seat
sharing between his National Conference and Congress saying it
was a party matter and discussed by party chief Farooq
Abdullah.