First priority is to restore normalcy in Kashmir

Updated: Tuesday, July 12, 2016, 14:24 [IST]

New Delhi, July 12: In the high level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, emphasis was laid on restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting comprising the Prime Minister, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley among others met on Tuesday to review the situation in Kashmir.

Kashmir has been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. In the violence nearly 30 persons have died and over 800 injured. The meeting discussed ways to bring under control the situation in Kashmir which has turned from bad to worse.

Following the meeting, minister Jitendra Singh informed the media that the Prime Minister has appealed for calm. Modi said at the meeting that no innocent lives should be lost. He further said that all help will be extended to Kashmir.

The meeting also discussed the way forward in Kashmir. Rajnath Singh briefed the Prime Minister about the situation. The NSA is also in touch with top security officials analysing the situation.

During the meeting it was also said that the use of force must be judicious by security forces. However the top priority now would be to restore normalcy in Kashmir.