Kashmir protests: Police will be answerable for excessive use of force, will seek accountability, says Mehbooba
According to the Home Ministry, Wani had around a dozen cases with serious charges against him, mostly under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed sorrow over the deaths in clashes.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Kashmir Tuesday and appealed for calm, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, in first public remarks following the protests and violence over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, asked parents to dissuade their children from taking to the streets. She said security personnel and policemen “will be made answerable” for incidents where excessive force was used.
Expressing sorrow over the deaths in clashes, the Chief Minister, in a nine-minute video message, said she was a mother of two girls and could well understand the pain of losing one’s child. “When we get to know that the child will not return, how much pain does it cause?”
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She drew the attention of parents to the dangers of children participating in protests, pointing to “elements who come from other areas” to take protesters to a “different direction according to their wish and temperament”.
“Such elements are well aware that when they do such a thing, there will be such a reaction from the opposite side that can cause harm and suffering to people,’’ she said.
She said a large number of children have been injured, many in the chest and and eyes. “The injuries on the chest will heal. But the injuries in the eyes, how many will we heal? We want to take many outside (the state for treatment) but even after taking them outside, will they get treated, will their eyes come back?”
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She said when she got the news of the killing of Burhan Wani and two other militants, she had anticipated protests and had ordered imposition of curfew to prevent loss of life.
“Instructions were passed to security forces to exercise restraint while dealing with people. Unfortunately, despite this, many lives were lost.”
She said answers will be sought from security personnel and policemen on incidents where excessive force was used. “They will be made answerable,’’ she said.
She praised the people of Kashmir for helping thousands of Amarnath Yatris and tourists despite the difficult situation. “I am proud how Muslims looked after Pandits in our villages.’’
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi, chairing a high-level meeting on the situation in Kashmir, voiced concern and appealed for calm.
Within hours of his return from a four-nation tour of Africa, the Prime Minister was briefed on the situation in the Valley. He inquired in detail about the operation that led to the killing of Wani.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.
Emerging from the meeting, Jitendra Singh said: “He (the PM) 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.”
Official sources said that during the meeting, Foreign Secretary Jaishankar briefed the Prime Minister on how Islamabad had summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Wani.
The Foreign Secretary also briefed him on the statement made by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the issue. Sharif had deplored “oppressive measures” and “excessive” force used against civilians in the Valley.
Sources said the issue of Wani being projected as a “hero” by a section of the media was discussed during the meeting.
According to the Home Ministry, Wani had around a dozen cases with serious charges against him, mostly under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Sources said what is causing concern in Delhi is the possibility of Pakistan-backed elements trying to incite more violence — July 13 is observed as Martyrs’ Day by separatists in Kashmir and large crowds also gather for speeches made during the Friday prayers.
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