Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 29: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed situation in Kashmir, which remained grim with curfew and restrictions in many parts of the Valley remaining in-force and stone pelting incidents going unabated. Singh also spoke to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and discussed the situation with her including Central help and other measures being taken by the State Government.
Rajnath rang up Mehbooba Mufti this afternoon and, among other issues, discussed with her the situation in Kashmir, which had been witnessing violence for past 21 days after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander Burhan Wani. The violence has taken nearly 50 lives and left more than 5000 injured, some of them in serious condition.
Rajnath, who had visited Kashmir for two days for on-spot assessment of the situation last week, reportedly discussed the situation arising out of unending protests in various parts of Kashmir and the help the Union Government can extend to the State in dealing with the protests.
Though there was no official word on the telephonic conversation the Union Home Minister had with the Chief Minister, the call assumed significance as it came just a day after Mehbooba’s statement that security forces were unaware of Burhan Wani’s presence in the hideout, where he was killed in the afternoon of July 8.
Commenting on Mehbooba’s statement, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh said in New Delhi: “it is not right for me to make a judgmental statement on any issue as sensitive as this and which is related to security forces, who are operating under extremely difficult circumstances”.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Rajnath Singh and top officials of the Union Home Ministry including Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Joint Secretary (Incharge Jammu and Kashmir) Gyanesh Kumar, were in regular touch with the State Government and top brass of civil administration, para-military forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police to keep close watch on the situation.
Sources said the top brass of the MHA was holding regular inter-actions with heads of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), civil administration and Jammu and Kashmir Police monitoring situation district wise, seeking their requirements and the Central help, if any, required by the State Gover-nment.
Rajnath Singh, who is tomorrow visiting Assam for review of flood situation along with MoS in PMO and Incharge North East, Dr Jitendra Singh, had detailed review of the situation from the day he had returned to New Delhi after two-day visit to the State holding high level security review with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti besides civil society and political parties.
According to sources, the Home Ministry was satisfied with maximum restraint being used by the para-military forces in quelling the protests. They had reports that use of fire arms and pellet guns has been contained to maximum extent, which was the reason that despite massive protests, there was no fatal casualty during past one week.
However, the MHA was concerned about number of injured, which was swelling with every passing day in view of massive protests in most parts of the Valley, which haven’t stopped despite about 50 killings and over 5000 injured. The injured included large number of CRPF and police personnel, who have been hit with sharp stones.
According to sources, the Union Home Ministry was scheduled to have another review of Jammu and Kashmir situation early next week in which it would obtain fresh situation report from the State Government.
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