Growing extremism not prerogative of one community: Omar

He said efforts are being made to “manufacture” exclusive community and religion based identities which are different from the rest of the society.

“These radicalised elements regrettably,make it appear that either you are with them or with the enemy. This growing extremism,however,is not the prerogative of one community alone,” Omar cautioned.

He said the solution to all such problems lies in launching a sustained campaign for the inclusive development of all the communities in the country.

He said it needs to be understood that the root cause of communalism is not the presence of many religions in the country. “It is only when the religious sentiments are exploited with an economic or political motive,that the resultant effects give rise to communalism.”

The chief minister said internal security problems are rooted in politics and armed insurgencies are basically struggles for political space.

“It has been realised over a period of time that the world over and within our country itself,that issues involving contrary positions can never be resolved through violent agitations and confrontations.

“This being the case,the most obvious approach would be to seek appropriate political solutions for the political problems. It goes without saying that a timely political solution to a problem would ensure that it does not balloon into a full fledged law and order or an internal security problem,” Omar said.

On Kashmir,the chief minister said the Centre will have to walk extra mile and find ways and means to remain engaged with Pakistan to address the external dimensions of the problems of the state.

He said even though economic development is important,it cannot and will not provide a permanent solution to the political issues confronting the state.

The chief minister said it is even more important to realise that political discussions are inescapable,if a lasting and enduring solution has to be found to tackle the internal dimension of problems confronting the state.

Speaking about corruption,Omar said new architecture comprising fully empowered and autonomous institutions will have to be created and put in place to cleanse the system of the virus of corruption.

He said the existing criminal justice system needs to be overhauled with investigation of all kinds of crimes be made a “time bound process” because inordinate delay in investigation results in destruction of valuable evidence relating to the crime and the consequent miscarriage of justice.

The chief minister said,“The delays on account of the excruciatingly long judicial processes need to be curtailed by bringing about suitable legislative changes in our procedures,besides setting up of fast track courts to ensure speedy trials.”