There was no let-up in the cycle of violence in Kashmir valley on Sunday, sparked by militant Burhan Wani’s killing, with fresh attacks on security installations and violent clashes leaving five more dead, including a cop, taking the death toll to 20 since Saturday.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the J&K situation in New Delhi and held a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, “offering full assistance from the Centre.”
The Home Ministry also said “all out-bound and in-bound Amarnath pilgrims were provided conveyance to safe locations.”
The yatra remained suspended for the second consecutive day.
Cabinet meeting
In Srinagar, Ms. Mufti held a Cabinet meeting to take stock of the situation. “A fervent appeal is made to all shades of political opinion, including mainstream and separatists, to help restore calm. Violence neither served any purpose in the past nor is it going to do so now,” said State Education Minister and Government spokesman Naeem Akhtar.
The Cabinet also directed security forces to exercise restraint to prevent loss of human lives, saying “any fatal retaliatory action only leads to a vicious cycle of death and destruction.”
Youth asked not to escalate protests
Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister and Government spokesman Naeem Akhtar said on Sunday that a policeman was pushed into the river Jhelum near Sangam along with his vehicle by a mob, resulting in his instantaneous death.
“I urge the youth not to take protests to a level where the forces are forced to use their weapons in retaliation,” he said.
According to a Srinagar-based police spokesman, three civilians were killed in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts during clashes.
“Militants are firing and lobbing grenades on police and CRPF personnel. Two grenades were hurled on CRPF deployed in Pulwama’s Murran Chowk, injuring some personnel. In Shopian, the vehicle of the Superintendent of Police was fired upon and a grenade lobbed. Militants also fired upon the police post in Uttressu,” said the spokesman.
Meanwhile, protests have spread to other areas in south, central and north Kashmir.
