'Mindless' violence no solution in J-K: Chidambaram

Sending out a message to protestors in Kashmir, Home Minister P Chidambaram asserted that "mindless violence" would not lead to any solution and promised to reactivate a dialogue to address grievances once normalcy is restored in the valley on Wednesday.

Making a statement in both Houses of Parliament on the situation in Kashmir, Chidambaram expressed deep regret over the loss of 39 lives in the cycle of violence that has engulfed the valley since June 11 and urged the people there to repose their faith in the elected state government to find solutions to their problems.

He said the state government was "actively considering a number of political and administrative measures" to help restore normalcy in the state and the centre fully supports it in restoring law and order, holding a dialogue, redressing genuine grievances, accelerating development programmes and ensuring equity, justice and honour for all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

As the valley continued to be under curfew, Chidambaram said the government recognises that the issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir are "issues concerning our own people and they have to be addressed through the political process and through a dialogue with all sections of people" of the state.

"I would urge all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to heed the voices of reason and desist from violent protests," the Home Minister said.

"Mindless violence and destruction of public property will not lead to any solution. On the contrary, they will result in loss of lives and injuries to the protestors, an outcome that is entirely avoidable and that should be avoided at all costs," he said.