"Despite excuses provided to create law and order situations, it is highly laudable that people declined to fall prey in the hands of vested interests and assured a peaceful situation prevailed in the state especially in the Valley," Omar said during a five-hour interactive session with civil society members here last evening.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the positive situation and people's determination to help maintain peace in the state.
He said it was heartening to note that for the first time during the last three years, the members of civil society did not raise any issues relating to the misuse of power or high handedness by security forces in this level of interaction.
"In a similar level of meeting last year held in this hall, you were apprehensive about the law and order situation and your main focus was on this subject...Today, you concentrated on development, which is indeed encouraging", he added.
Omar said the government would devote full attention in maintaining peace and carrying forward development agenda with commitment and missionary zest.
"You have seen the benefits of peace by witnessing holistic development in all sectors with highest tourist boom. It also paved the way for removing 40 bunkers alone from Srinagar city and many more in other parts of the valley. It also helped to reduce the number of security forces", he asserted.