CM Omar Abdullah Convenes Emergency Peace Meeting; Government to Seek Lenient Approach for Protesters and Youth

SRINAGAR, March 4, 2026 — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a high-level consultative meeting with religious scholars, civil society members, and trade leaders at the SKICC today to address the volatile situation following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Accompanied by cabinet ministers and senior security officials, the Chief Minister joined participants in collectively condemning the assassination and offering Fateha prayers for the deceased leader and the victims of recent strikes in Iran.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister described the late Ayatollah as a “true sympathizer of Kashmir” and a “friend of India,” recalling his own diplomatic visits to Tehran as a representative of the Government of India.

Responding to the concerns of the civil society members regarding the recent crackdown on mourners, Omar Abdullah assured the delegation that he would advocate at the highest level for a soft and lenient approach concerning detentions and FIRs against local youth.

He emphasized that while the administration respects the public’s right to grieve, it is imperative to maintain brotherhood and prevent any disruptions to peace or essential services.Addressing the plight of Kashmiri students currently stranded in Iran due to cancelled flights, the Chief Minister informed the gathering that he is in constant coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure their safety and evacuation via land routes.

He specifically noted that diplomatic channels would be utilized to ensure that medical interns and students returning to India are not academically penalized by their respective Iranian colleges. Furthermore, in light of concerns regarding the potential hoarding of petrol and essential commodities amid the Middle East crisis, the Chief Minister directed District Commissioners to maintain strict market surveillance and ensure uninterrupted supply chains for the power and health sectors.

The meeting concluded with a joint appeal for calm, with leaders from various religious and social backgrounds, including Molvi Imran Ansari and MLA Ali Muhammad Sagar, urging the public to express their sorrow responsibly and maintain the valley’s communal harmony during this period of global mourning.