Kashmir violence: Rajnath Singh speaks to Sonia Gandhi and Omar Abdullah

New Delhi: With Kashmir in turmoil, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday reached out to opposition leaders including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former CM Omar Abdullah, and discussed the prevailing situation there.

The Home Minister’s discussions with Gandhi and Omar are believed to be an attempt by the central government to take opposition leaders into confidence.

Ms Gandhi said there can be no compromise on matters relating to national security even as she voiced anguish over the loss of lives in the clashes. Omar said he has told the Centre that violence will not end until the security forces exercise maximum restraint and stop killing protestors. He said the Valley can be pulled out of the current situation only after the use of lethal force is stopped.