Clerics, civil society join CM in appeal for peace

Srinagar, Mar 4: In the wake of the prevailing situation in West Asia following the killing of Iranís Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held an interaction with religious scholars, civil society members, and representatives of trade and business bodies at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).

Prominent members of civil society, including religious leaders, social activists, retired bureaucrats, academics, educationists, and representatives of trade bodies, participated in the interaction convened in the backdrop of the escalating war in West Asia and its possible aftermath in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Kashmir.

CM Omar listened attentively to the concerns and suggestions raised by the participants and reaffirmed his governmentís commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring the smooth functioning of essential services.

The participants expressed deep concern over the developments in the West Asia region, which have engulfed several countries, and conveyed their sympathies to those who lost their loved ones, particularly the targeted assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several of his family members.

During the meeting, the attendees urged the administration to deal with the protestors and mourners with sympathy and understanding while allowing gatherings to express grief, ensuring that public order is maintained.

They also called for the release of detainees held in recent days and to quash FIRs against youth who were out on the streets only to grieve the death of their spiritual leader.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM expressed his grief and condolences over the loss of lives in Iran.

He said that the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ìcannot be described in words.î

CM Omar said that the late leader was a true sympathiser of the people of Kashmir and had always maintained cordial relations with India.

Recalling his visits to Iran twice, as Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, and as Special Envoy of PM Atal Behari Vajpayee, he said that the ties of India with Iran had always been cordial.

The CM said that the late Iranian supreme leader was a friend of India and a true sympathiser of the people of Kashmir.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in J&K while respecting the sentiments of the people and urged people to ensure that expressions of grief remain peaceful and responsible.

Highlighting the purpose of the interaction, CM Omar said it was intended to collectively express pain and sorrow over the recent developments and to make a joint appeal for peace.

He called for collective condemnation, collective condolence and a joint commitment to maintaining calm during the mourning period.

The CM underscored the role of the administration and religious organisations in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere and stressed that no one should be harmed during condolence gatherings.

Regarding recent detentions and the filing of cases, he assured the participants that he would take up the matter at the highest level to adopt a soft and lenient approach.

CM Omar said that he does not want that his people particularly youth should put themselves in harmís way.

Responding to the issue of evacuation of Kashmiri students stranded in Iran, he said he had been in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs regarding their safety and safe return.

The CM said that the students were being shifted to safer locations for their onward journey through land route as flights stand cancelled in the region.

He said that parents had met him for stranded students and in some cases students who were interns had refused to come back while some had been barred by medical colleges who have cautioned students that they shall lose one year and have to study academic session all over again in case they go back.

CM Omar assured that concerned college authorities in Iran would be requested through diplomatic channels to not to penalise students who want to return to India.

Some civil society members raised the issue of increase in prices of essentials and petrol and stressed the need for uninterrupted supply chains and proper functioning of key sectors such as health and power.

On essential supplies, the CM directed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to closely monitor stock and supply positions to prevent overpricing or hoarding and appealed to the public to bring any grievances to the notice of the administration.

Earlier, the meeting began with condolences over the demise of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, followed by Fateha prayers for the Supreme Leader of Iran, school girls, and other who lost their lives in the strikes on Iran.

The meeting was attended by Minister Sakina Itoo, Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, several Members of the Legislative Assembly from across Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, IGP Kashmir Vidhi  Kumar Birdi, and DC Srinagar Akshay Labroo.

Several religious leaders and members of civil society spoke in the meeting to express their sentiments and concerns.

Those who spoke included Molvi Imran Ansari, Aga Syed Mehmood, MLA Ali Muhammad Sagar, MLA Tanvir Sadiq, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, Syed Shakeel Qalandar, Muhammad Yaseen Khan, Mushtaq Chaya, Aga Syed Mudasir Rizvi, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Tanvir Jehan, Dr Dechen Paljor, Jaspal Singh, Ghulam Nabi Var, MLA Mubarak Gul, Nasir Shah, Manzoor Pakhtoon, Shamim Ahmad Shah, Maulana Maqbool Hussain, Dr A G Ahangar, and Iqram Shafie.