After the high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, security forces deployed in the Kashmir Valley were asked to exercise “absolute restraint.”
Mr. Modi, who chaired the meeting within hours of his return from the four-nation Africa tour, asked officials to see to it that “civilians were not harassed,” a senior government official said.
The unrest in the Kashmir Valley followd the killing of Hizb-ul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani (22) last Friday.
The Prime Minister is learnt to have expressed concern at 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 on 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.”
Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh, who attended the meeting, 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.
