NEW DELHI J - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the transparent manner in which the State Administration handled the incidents in Shopian, Baramulla and Maisuma has succeeded in restoring calm among the people, and the Government would be taking steps to improve the situation in the State.

In an interaction with ANI, Abdullah described the two-month period, which followed the Shopian incident as very difficult for his administration.

He said there was a convergence of separatists and other forces in the State, and efforts were made to blow up crimes and create mistrust among the people. He pointed out that the State police had been fighting militancy for the last two decades, and the police had lost the expertise in handling normal law and order duties.

He said that the assessment was that there are around 700 militants in the State. The militants had a vested interest in keeping the region on the boil.

Efforts are being made to restore normalcy and steps are being taken to improve the lot of the people. The work culture has improved in recent months. The VAT collections in the State is one of the best in the country.

The people are looking forward to a ‘political solution’ to the problems facing the State. There was a need for an intra-State dialogue to find an answer to the problems of the three regions - -Jammu, the Valley and Ladakh.

Out of the five committees appointed by the Prime Minister following the Round Table Conference, four have submitted their reports, which are being implemented. The fifth has not yet been able to finalise its report, he said.

The National Conference, he pointed out, had given a report on the need for autonomy for the State.

In the final analysis, the State Administration would be taking many confidence-building measures. There are no ‘big steps’ on the anvil. On the other hand, there would be a series of small steps, which would improve the lot of the people. (ANI)