At the high-level review meeting on Kashmir here on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was informed that over 100 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured in stone-pelting by mobs.
“The CRPF personnel have been cautioned not to be provoked easily and practise absolute restraint. The men have been asked not to open fire when they face a few rounds of stone-pelting,” said a senior government official. Security forces were also asked to ensure the security of Amarnath pilgrims and enhance vigil along the border to check fresh attempts of infiltration from across the border.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who attended the meeting, said that an overall assessment of the security situation in Kashmir must be done by the Home Ministry and the Army was ready to provide any assistance like increasing force levels in any area required.
“The next couple of days remain crucial. Tomorrow, i.e is 13th July is commemorated as Martyrs Day in Kashmir and Friday is Jumme ki namaaz. The Centre is wary about the situation in these three days. Intel inputs suggest that Pakistan-supported groups would try to incite violence in the Valley,” said the official.
Mr. Modi was also told about the circumstances leading to the death of the policeman who was pushed with his vehicle into a river stream by a mob.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the ongoing tension in the Valley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh postponed his official trip to the U.S. till September this year. Mr. Singh was to leave for a week-long visit on June 17 to attend the Homeland Security meeting there. Mr. Singh is likely to address Parliament on Kashmir as the monsoon session commences on July 18.
