News Politics National J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti chairs security meet amid spiralling protests

J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti chairs security meet amid spiralling protests

Kashmir is in the grip of increased violence since the April 9 by-poll for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. The security forces are under intense pressure as they are faced with almost daily protests and stone-pelting, especially by students.

File pic of Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti File pic of Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti

A crucial meeting of the Unified Headquarters, the multi-agency security body, chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti began here on Tuesday to review the deteriorating security situation in the Valley.

The meeting comes amid spiralling student protests in Kashmir. 

Top officials of administration, paramilitary and intelligence agencies also attended the meeting which came a day after Mehbooba met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi and discussed the prevailing situation in the state with them. 

Kashmir is in the grip of increased violence since the April 9 by-poll for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. The security forces are under intense pressure as they are faced with almost daily protests and stone-pelting, especially by students. 

The army and the CRPF have received some praise for showing restraint under provocation, but there has also been criticism, especially after a video showed a civilian tied to a jeep as a human shield to avoid attack on a convoy that drove through the streets. 

Mehbooba yesterday said that the Prime Minister appears amenable to holding dialogue with stake holders but a right atmosphere needs to be created as "talks cannot happen amid stone pelting and firing of bullets". 

With PTI Inputs