Normal policing required to tackle public unrest: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stressed on the need for 'normal policing' to tackle the kind of public unrest witnessed in the Valley recently, acknowledging this year was a difficult one for the police personnel.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday stressed on the need for 'normal policing' to tackle the kind of public unrest witnessed in the Valley recently, acknowledging this year was a difficult one for the police personnel.

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"During the last 20 years, we put the police at the forefront of tackling militancy, which affected the normal policing. We need to stress on the normal policing," Omar said addressing the Police Commemoration Day at Zewan in the outskirts of the city.

"The state is passing through a difficult time but patience has to be maintained," he said.

The Chief Minister said that as militancy has come down over the past few years, a different challenge has come to the fore, which needs a different approach, strategy and equipment.

Omar said he understands normal policing cannot be done overnight but steps need to be taken for that. The chief Minister acknowledged that police has faced a lot of pressure during the last four months of public unrest.

"Last four months have not been easy for the police. I know you have faced troubles, I know your families have faced problems and that conspiracies have been hatched against you," he said.

"But you have been brave in all these circumstances but patience needs to be exercised," he added. Omar also said this year has been particularly difficult for the security forces across the country.

"On one hand, you had to continue the fight against terrorism and on the other, you had to face the challenge of naxalism," he said.