Modi steps in to quell Kashmir ire immediately after returning from Africa
New Delhi: Concerned about the violence in the Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security meeting on Tuesday, within hours of returning from a five-day visit to Africa.
Sources said the Centre has activated the Srinagar-based Unified Command, headed by state governor N.N. Vohra, to launch a major damage-control exercise and contain the violence in the Valley amid intelligence reports that subversive elements could trigger further trouble on July 13, marked as Martyrs’ Day, and the Friday prayers on July 15.
Prime Minister Modi, sources added, has given a clear directive to the security agencies that normalcy should be restored in the Valley at the earliest and that no innocent person should be harassed by the security forces. The PM has also issued an appeal to people in the Valley to maintain peace.
“PM has appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace so that the situation can normalise. He also expressed hope that no innocent person should face any kind of inconvenience or loss. The Centre will provide all possible assistance to the state government,” MoS in the PMO Jitendra Singh said.
Meanwhile, expressing regret over the loss of lives and injuries in the clashes in Kashmir, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has called on all parties to exercise “maximum restraint” to avoid further violence and hoped that all concerns would be addressed through peaceful means.
“The Secretary-General is closely following the recent clashes in Kashmir. He regrets the reported loss of dozens of lives and the injuries to many others,” a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson said here.
J&K’s initial reaction to contain Wani fallout slow, feels Centre
In Washington, describing Kashmir as an internal matter of India, the US has said it is concerned over the violence and asked all stakeholders to make efforts towards finding a peaceful resolution to the issue following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in the Valley.
Among those present at the meeting with the Prime Minister were home minister Rajnath Singh, finance minister Arun Jaitley, defence minister Manohar Parrikar, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, minister of state in the PMO Jitendra Singh, national security adviser Ajit Doval and senior officials from Central security and intelligence agencies.
The prime minister was given a detailed briefing on the prevailing security situation in the state and the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. Mr Modi, sources said, expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements made for the annual pilgrimage to the cave-shrine.
Sources said the Centre was concerned that the state government’s initial reaction had been slightly slow in containing the fallout following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on Friday.
