New Update
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today appealed
to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain calm so that the situation
can normalise in the violence-hit Valley even as he hoped that no
innocent person faces inconvenience or loss.
Chairing a high-level meeting here on the situation in Kashmir Valley,
where 24 people have lost lives in the protests triggered by the
killing of Hizbul militant commander Burhan Wani, Modi voiced concern
over the situation in the state.
"He has appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain
peace so that the situation can normalise. He also expressed hope
that no innocent person should face any kind of inconvenience or
loss," Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra
Singh said after the meeting.
The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction over the progress
of the Amarnath Yatra and said whatever help needed by the state
government will be provided by the Centre.
Singh said the Prime Minister voiced concern over the situation
in Jammu and Kashmir, gave guidance and also appealed for peace.
The meeting was convened within hours of Modi's return from his
visit to four African countries.
The Prime Minister was given a detailed presentation of the situation
prevailing in the Valley which has witnessed escalating protests
following the killing of Wani on Friday.
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh,
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar
among others.
"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," Singh told reporters.
Yesterday, Parrikar, Jaitley and Doval, who returned a day earlier
from Africa where he was accompanying the Prime Minister, had met
to discuss the situation.
The Ministers were briefed by Chiefs of central security agencies
about the steps taken to bring back peace and normalcy in the Valley.
All forces have been asked to ensure security of Amarnath pilgrims
and enhance vigil along the border to check fresh attempts of infiltration
from across the border.
Parrikar had told reporters that an overall assessment of security
situation in Kashmir has to be done by the Home Ministry and Army
was ready to provide any assistance like increasing force levels in any areas required.-