Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Supreme Court observation on special police officers (SPOs)in naxal-hit areas cannot be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir as the SPOs in the state were part of the regular police force.

The SPOs in naxal-affected areas cannot be compared to SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir as they are part of the belt force and do their regular duties, Omar told reporters.

The CM was replying to questions after inaugurating North Zone Table Tennis Championship at Sher-e-Kashmir Indoor Stadium here.

This is the first national level sporting event held at the stadium which was closed for sportspersons for nearly two decades due to presence of CRPF for security reasons.

The Chief Minister asked the participants in the tournament to take home the message of peace from Kashmir in view of the improvement in situation in the valley.

Omar said the situation in the valley had improved vastly and the place was safe for all tourists, domestic as well as international to visit.

Responding to a question about negative travel advisories by certain countries, the Chief Minister said, Kashmir had come a long way from the situation which warranted such advisories to their citizens.

The state government was focused on ensuring the peace prevails in valley and the tourism season is not disrupted, Omar said.

Omar highlighted the importance of this project for the overall socio-economic development and progress of the state and emphasised the need for joint efforts for its timely completion, an official spokesperson said.