Centre in a huddle over J&K violence; Modi to review situation today

New Delhi/Srinagar: Concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Kashmir, the Centre on Monday held a series of meetings to contain the damage following the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the situation and is expected to be given a detailed presentation on the matter. NSA Ajit Doval, who was accompanying Modi on an official tour of African nations, cut short his visit and rushed back.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, along with other senior officials are likely to be the part of the meeting.

Read: Pak summons Indian envoy, conveys 'serious concern' over Kashmir unrest

Meanwhile, Pakistan summoned the Indian high commissioner in Islamabad during which its foreign secretary conveyed “Pakistan’s serious concerns over the killings of Burhan Wani and other civilians”, statements seen here as designed to escalate matters.

Meanwhile, the death toll in firing by security forces and clashes has touched 30. Police said more reports are pouring in. On Monday, a mob hurled stones at the IAF station outside Pulwama’s Koil village and also threw bunches of burning grass inside the premises, but there were no casualties. Meanwhile, the Centre rushed 800 CRPF personnel to Kashmir after having already sent 1,200 on Saturday.

Read: Mob takes police officer hostage in Kashmir, demands release of 3 men

Almost all separatist leaders continued to remain in preventive custody or under house arrest. In a joint decision announced on Monday, they extended the strike call initially issued to mourn and protest the killing of Wani for two more days (Tuesday and Wednesday) in view of the killing of protesters in security forces’ firings. The Internet services on mobile phones and through dongles have been suspended “as a precautionary measure”. Internet services are, however, functioning on fixed broadband lines. 

Train services between Baramulla in northwest Kashmir and Banihal town across the Pirpanjal mountain ridge in Jammu division also remained suspended on the third consecutive day whereas Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE), Kashmir University and Central University, Kashmir have cancelled all examinations which were scheduled during this week.  

Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, on Monday again sought “wholehearted” cooperation of the people towards restoration of peace and normalcy in the Valley “to prevent further loss of precious lives and destruction of public and private properties”. She said the government is taking various measures to restore calm and it needs support of the people in this endeavour. 

She said, “I appeal all sections of the society including the political leaders, media, the religious heads, the business community and the prominent citizens to rise to the occasion and help the government in restoring peace and normalcy in the Kashmir in the wake of the prevailing law and order situation.”

She said the J&K police and the paramilitary forces have been asked to exercise maximum restrain to avoid loss of lives or grievous injuries. “My heart goes out to the families of the youth, including the civilians and the policeman, who lost their lives in the latest spate of violence. We have already lost a generation to bloodshed and violence, and can’t afford to live amidst prevailing political uncertainties with young boys getting killed every day,” she said. 

Mufti alleged that some elements are hell bent upon fomenting trouble, mayhem and bloodshed in Kashmir for their vested interests and are playing with the lives of the innocent youth by instigating them to indulge in extreme violence resulting in a vicious cycle of frenzy and bloodshed.