New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday in the wake of protests over the killing of a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander and spoke to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, assuring her all possible help from the Centre.
During a 30-minute meeting, the Home Minister was briefed on the law and order situation in Kashmir Valley following the killing of Burhan Wani in Kokernag area, 83 km from Srinagar.
He had also telephoned Mehbooba Saturday and assured her all central assistance, a Home Ministry official said.
At the meeting, the Home Minister directed officials to ensure that paramilitary forces in Kashmir provide all assistance the state government for restoration of peace and normalcy in the Valley as early as possible.
The official said Amarnath pilgrims stuck in Srinagar have been escorted out and taken for the yatra. Those who were stuck in higher areas were escorted back, he said.
The Home Minister said that all steps should be taken for ensuring safety of Amarnath pilgrims as also that of Kashmiri Pandits. Houses of some Kashmiri Pandits had been attacked in some parts of the Valley, the official said.
The Home Minister said that security forces should be deployed in sensitive places and additional paramilitary personnel be sent to the state if required.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said the situation in the Valley is under control.
Jitendra calls on Rajnath
NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday met Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and discussed with him, in detail, various aspects of the current Kashmir situation in the wake of the killing of Hijbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani.
Dr Jitendra also conveyed to the Home Minister the concern expressed by members of the Kashmiri Pandit community through messages sent by them from across the world regarding the safety of their brethren living in Kashmir Valley. He also requested for adequate safety and security of the pilgrims of the Amarnath Yatra.
Rajnath Singh, who held a detailed security review meeting attended among others by Union Home Secretary, Joint Secretary Home Incharge Kashmir and heads of paramilitary forces, said that every possible assistance and cooperation will be provided to the State Government to control the situation in the Valley and restore normalcy. He said, he had also spoken to Chief Minister, J and K Mehbooba Mufti and conveyed the same to her.
Later, speaking to media persons outside the residence of Home Minister, Dr. Jitendra said, he wanted to reassure the Kashmiri Pandit community that their safety and protection will not be compromised in any manner and that, this is a collective responsibility of both the government as well as the society.
He said, he had received tweets and messages of concern from Kashmiri Pandits from across the world, including far off places like London and Dubai.
Dr Singh said, Home Minister Rajnath Singh was personally monitoring the situation and added, any final decision with regard to the conduct of Amarnath Yatra and other related issues is best left to the wisdom of security agencies. “We are proud of our military and paramilitary forces”, he said. This is also tourist season in the Valley, said Dr Jitendra and appealed for restoration of peace because the common man in Kashmir does not wish the season to be disrupted.
He appealed to leaders of mainstream political parties to avoid temptation of politicking in the name of terrorism.