Urging people of Kashmir to "heed to voices of reason" and desist from violent protests, Home Minister P Chidambaram today promised to reactivate a dialogue to address their grievances once normalcy is restored in the valley.

Making a statement in both Houses of Parliament on the situation in Kashmir, he expressed deep regret over the loss of 39 lives in the cycle of violence that has engulfed the valley since June 11 and asked the people there to repose their faith in the elected state government to find solutions to their problems.

He said the state government was "actively considering a number of political and administrative measures" to help restore normalcy in the state and the centre fully supports it in restoring law and order, holding a dialogue, redressing genuine grievances, accelerating development programmes and ensuring equity, justice and honour for all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

As the valley continued to be under curfew, Chidambaram said the government recognises that the issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir are "issues concerning our own people and they have to be addressed through the political process and through a dialogue with all sections of people" of the state.

"I would urge all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to heed the voices of reason and desist from violent protests," the Home Minister said.

"Mindless violence and destruction of public property will not lead to any solution. On the contrary, they will result in loss of lives and injuries to the protestors, an outcome that is entirely avoidable and that should be avoided at all costs," he said.

In a "special appeal" to parents, he said, "your children's safety and welfare is our paramount consideration -- as it must be yours -- and I would urge you to ensure that they do not join the violent protests."

Contending that the government had always favoured talks, he said, "Once peace and order are restored, I am confident that we can explore the possibility of reactivating the political process that holds the key to solutions."

At the same time, he said it was his "duty" to point out that security forces have conducted themselves with "commendable restraint in a highly-volatile situation", showing "courage and fortitude".

He said security forces have been asked to deal with the crowds in a restrained manner.

In the Lok Sabha, BJP Parliamentary Party Chairman L K Advani said there should be a debate on the situation in Kashmir in which members would like to know what government was doing besides making an appeal for peace.

In the Rajya Sabha too, members sought a discussion.

Giving details of the trouble in Kashmir and casualties suffered by civilians and security forces, the Home Minister made it clear that any political initiative could be pursued only after the cycle of violence ends.

Contending that there was "reliable intelligence" that some armed militants had mingled with the crowds and fired at the security personnel, he said the forces were compelled to open fire in self defence or to protect public property.

The security forces have been advised to deal with the crowds in a restrained manner, Chidambaram said.

He said the state government was actively considering a number of political and administrative measures to help restore normalcy in the state and asked the people there to "repose" faith in the government which they have elected.

"Once peace and order are restored, I am confident that we can explore the possibility of reactivating the political process that holds the key to solutions," Chidambaram said.

Noting that the government has always favoured talks to address the problems of the state, he pointed out that it had initiated last year a "quiet dialogue" with key political groups and individuals.

He said he had hoped that the dialogue would "open a window of opportunity" to activate the political process in order to find solutions but it was interrupted on December 4,2009 when an attempt was made on the life of Fazl-ul Haq Qureshi, a leader who favoured dialogue.

Chidambaram referred to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh two days back after which he had appealed to people of Kashmir to end the cycle of violence and maintain peace and offered a dialogue for redressal of their grievances.

He said Abdullah, while affirming his commitment to taking certain political and administrative measures, has made it clear that the current cycle of violence would have to end before he could take the initiative.

"The central government endorses his appeal and sincerely hopes that the cycle of violence will come to an end immediately," the Home Minister said.