Srinagar, Mar 04 (KNO): Political leaders and representatives of civil society on Wednesday called for peaceful expression of grief in Jammu and Kashmir following the assassination of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
As per the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a meeting with civil society members, traders and senior religious figures at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre here to deliberate on the prevailing situation and measures to ease tensions.
Speaking after the meeting, PDP MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi said Jammu and Kashmir is in deep grief following the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei. “The whole of Jammu and Kashmir is in shock and there is a lot of sorrow,” Aga Mehdi said.
“The main thing was that the children should be left alone unconditionally,” he said, adding that the Chief Minister assured the participants that he would take up the matter with higher authorities.
He also appealed to the public to follow the programme issued by religious leadership while protesting.
“My request to the public is that the way our religious leadership has given us the programme—whether to protest locally or to remain limited to imambaras—people should follow that direction and not be influenced by sensationalism on Facebook or Twitter,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Khan said the Chief Minister stressed the need to allow space for people to express their grief in what he described as a sensitive religious matter.
He said discussions were held on paying tribute respectfully.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also reiterated that while people have the right to express grief and anger, it must be done peacefully and within the bounds of law to prevent any loss of life or injury.
He thanked civil society members and traders for their cooperation and expressed hope that the collective appeal for calm would help maintain peace and brotherhood across Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)