Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday had a telephonic conversation with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during which the turbulent situation prevailing in the State was discussed.
The nature of the conversation was not immediately known but the telephonic talk came a day after Ms. Mehbooba said neither she nor the security forces were aware of Hizb-ul commander Burhan Wani’s presence during the raid at his hideout on July 8 in which he was killed. The killing led to violent protests that resulted in the death of 47 people in the Valley.
Without disclosing the details, official sources in New Delhi said the prevailing situation in the State was discussed with Ms. Mehbooba.
Ms. Mehbooba had told reporters in Srinagar, “as far as I know, what I heard from police, Army, who said they only knew that there were three militants but did not know who. So, what can I say on what they are saying. I feel if they knew [that Burhan was there], perhaps we would not have such a situation when the overall situation was improving, so it could have been a chance.”
Last week, the Home Minister visited Srinagar and met a cross section of people and said the Central government wanted an emotional relationship with the State and not just need-based.
Mr. Singh also said the Centre would talk to whosoever needed once peace and normality were restored in the State.
However, National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rubbished Ms. Mehbooba’s claim that she was not aware of the encounter between the security forces and Burhan. Mr. Omar said the Chief Minister was kept fully informed of the July 8 encounter.
“I’m going by the first on record statement by Jammu and Kashmir Police to the media that the CM was kept fully informed of the encounter. At no point in the first Jammu and Kashmir Police media briefing was it ever suggested that they didn’t know who was trapped,” Mr. Omar said in a series of tweets.
