Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday on the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani (22) last week.
After the meeting, security forces deployed in the Valley were asked to exercise “absolute restraint” even as the number of people killed in clashes with security forces went up.
Mr. Modi asked officials to see to it that “civilians were not harassed,” a senior government official said.
The Prime Minister is learnt to have expressed concern over some sections of the media projecting Wani as a “poster boy” and “hero,” which was influencing many Kashmiri youths to come out on the streets in violent protests, the official said.
Mr. Modi was also briefed on the recent statements issued by Pakistan regarding the unrest in the Valley.
In a detailed presentation, Mr. Modi was informed by Home Ministry officials that Wani had 12 terror-related cases registered against him, and he was working towards “disintegration of the country.”
Mr. Modi chaired the meeting within hours of his return from the four-nation Africa tour on Tuesday morning. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, among others.
Mr. Jitendra Singh said: “The Prime Minister kept taking updates about the Jammu and Kashmir situation during his visit abroad. The biggest evidence of his concern is that he called this review meeting within hours of returning from the tour and took details.
“He has appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace so that the situation can normalise. He also expressed the hope that no innocent person faced any kind of inconvenience or loss.”
The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Amarnath Yatra, and offered all help needed by the State government, Mr. Singh said.
After the meeting, security forces deployed in the Valley were asked to exercise “absolute restraint” even as the number of people killed in clashes with security forces went up.
Mr. Modi asked officials to see to it that “civilians were not harassed,” a senior government official said.
The Prime Minister is learnt to have expressed concern over some sections of the media projecting Wani as a “poster boy” and “hero,” which was influencing many Kashmiri youths to come out on the streets in violent protests, the official said.
Mr. Modi was also briefed on the recent statements issued by Pakistan regarding the unrest in the Valley.
In a detailed presentation, Mr. Modi was informed by Home Ministry officials that Wani had 12 terror-related cases registered against him, and he was working towards “disintegration of the country.”
Mr. Modi chaired the meeting within hours of his return from the four-nation Africa tour on Tuesday morning. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, among others.
Mr. Jitendra Singh said: “The Prime Minister kept taking updates about the Jammu and Kashmir situation during his visit abroad. The biggest evidence of his concern is that he called this review meeting within hours of returning from the tour and took details.
“He has appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace so that the situation can normalise. He also expressed the hope that no innocent person faced any kind of inconvenience or loss.”
The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Amarnath Yatra, and offered all help needed by the State government, Mr. Singh said.