M A I N   N E W S

Defuse tension, Omar tells his ministers
Valley under curfew for third day in row
Tribune News Service

Jammu/Srinagar, February 11
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed his ministers, especially those belonging to the National Conference, to rush to their home districts in the Valley and keep close tabs on the overall situation in the wake of the prevailing unrest triggered by execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

TIGHT VIGIL: Securitymen patrol a Srinagar street on Monday. — PTI

While curfew remained in force in all districts of Kashmir for the third consecutive day today, the death toll in clashes has gone up to three.

“Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo has been camping in Srinagar since Saturday, while Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Animal & Sheep Husbandry Nazir Ahmad Gurezi is camping in Bandipora. Similarly, Minister for Transport and CAPD Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan is stationed in Kupwara,” sources said. Senior leaders of the party are also staying put in the Valley. Some NC ministers are expected to reach Kashmir on Tuesday.

Sources said the ministers had been directed to hold interaction with the people, particularly youth, to control tempers so that any untoward incident doesn’t happen.

“The ministers have been told to move around in their respective areas to check protests and explain the government's position vis-a-vis the hanging of Afzal Guru," said sources.

"The purpose seems to be to avert the recurrence of the 2010-type protests by the people and reaction by the law enforcing agencies in which many persons, mostly youngsters, were killed," they said.

Various parts of Kashmir, including Sopore, Baramulla and Sumbal, witnessed protests on Monday. “The curfew may be extended till Friday,” said sources.

As a precautionary measure, the authorities have stopped the publication of local Urdu and English newspapers since Sunday. All national and local news channels have been put off air and Internet services remain suspended.