PM holds emergency meeting to discuss Srinagar issue
Wed, 07/07/2010 - 09:58 by Anupreet Kaur
The meeting reviewed the increasing protests in the region.
On Tuesday, Indian forces fired at many rock-throwing protesters in Srinagar that killed three people and led to reimposing of curfew. Later, the curfew was extended to all other towns.
Even the media was not allowed to enter the area by the Jammu and Kashmir government.
The meeting included personalities like Home Minister P Chidambaram, Defence Minister A K Antony, Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekar, NSA Shiv Shankar Menon, Home Secretary G K Pillai, and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar.
Despite the hour long meeting between the ministers, no official announcement has been made yet.
Army roped in to control situation
According to the official sources, army was roped in Kashmir to administer the situation during the curfew as many police personnel were deployed for Amarnath Yatra to counter-insurgency operations.
On Wednesday, Minister Of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said, "Army steps in only when things go out of control ..... It is not a situation the Army would like to be in. But whenever it is necessary and in the interest of the nation, we step in.”
When asked about the presence of army in Kashmir, he said, “(Army will stay) as long as it is necessary. But we would like to make it as short as possible.”
People asked to stay at home
After the curfew was imposed, people were asked to stay at home. Schools, colleges and offices remained shut.
In Batmaloo district of Srinagar, many protesters were heard shouting slogans like "Go India, Go Back."
Reportedly, the curfew was imposed in areas like Anantnag, Pampore, Pulwama and Kulgam in south Kashmir, and Kupwara and Bandipore in north Kashmir. Restrictions were also imposed in Sopore and Baramulla, where Army staged a flag march.
A flag march was led by army at the Srinagar Airport Road from 10:30am.
On Tuesday, the protesters attacked the security forces in regions like Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Barzulla, Fateh Kadal, Braripora, Tatoo Ground, Hyderpora, Baghat, Rambagh, Jehangir Chowk, Maisuma, and Habbakadal.
