SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Occupied Kashmir’s new leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday vowed to restore normalcy to the revolt-wracked state, hours after a car bomb explosion killed five people and wounded 18.

“I pledge to bring normalcy in the state,” said Mr Azad after he was sworn in as Indian Kashmir’s 10th chief minister.

“The peace process will have to continue, and people will have to be provided corruption-free government,” he said at a heavily guarded venue in Srinagar.

Mr Azad urged Indian troops and militants to refrain from violence and work towards peace in the state. He told Indian troops that “I will not tolerate any custodial death.,” referring to claims that militant suspects are killed in custody and the deaths covered up as the results of shoot-outs with security forces.—AFP