Rajnath Singh discusses Kashmir situation with Sonia, Omar Abdullah

The home minister’s discussions with Gandhi and Omar, who ruled Jammu and Kashmir between 2009 and 2015, are believed to be an attempt by the central government to take opposition leaders into confidence.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday reached out to opposition leaders including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, and discussed the prevailing situation in the state.

Kashmiri protesters throw stones at police during clashes in Srinagar, India, 10 July 2016. Life remain paralysed in the Valley for the third day against the killing of top militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani on late 08 July. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

During the telephonic conversation with Gandhi and National Conference leader Omar, the home minister discussed the efforts to bring back peace and normalcy in Kashmir Valley, which is witnessing violent protests after the killing of militant leader Burhan Wani on Friday, official sources said.

The home minister’s discussions with Gandhi and Omar, who ruled Jammu and Kashmir between 2009 and 2015, are believed to be an attempt by the central government to take opposition leaders into confidence.

In a statement, Sonia Gandhi on Monday said there can be no compromise on matters relating to national security even as she voiced anguish over the loss of lives in the clashes.

Referring to his conversation with the home minister, Omar Abdullah said his party will play what ever role is required to help normalise the situation but the onus was on the state and central governments.

In a series of tweets, Abdullah also said that the vicious cycle of violence would not stop until security forces stopped killing protesters.

Singh is also speaking to other opposition leaders on the Kashmir situation, sources said.

The home minister has already spoken at least twice to Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti and assured her all central assistance to tackle the violent protests, which so far claimed 22 lives.

Meanwhile, Singh reviewed the Kashmir situation for the second time in as many days and instructed officials to do the needful to bring back normalcy in the state.

Normal life remained paralysed for the third day on Monday in the Valley due to curfew-like restrictions and separatists-sponsored strike in the wake of the killing of Wani.

Mobile internet services continued to remain suspended since Saturday.

Authorities have strengthened the presence of security forces in vulnerable areas of the city and elsewhere in the Valley to contain the protests.

(With inputs from PTI)