PM calls security meet on Kashmir situation

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday called for a meeting of the cabinet committee on security affairs to discuss the Kashmir situation. The meeting will decide on the mandate for the Army, which has been called in the valley to help maintain peace in the state by chief minister Omar Abdullah.

The meeting reportedly will also look into the logistical deployment of the Army in Kashmir and will also make a detailed plan on coordination with the state government.

The meeting will be attended by the finance minister, the defence minister and the home minister.

Meanwhile, the minister of state for defence, Pallam Raju confirmed that the Army has been dispatched to the valley and will be used only when absolutely necessary. He added that as ground situation improved, the Army would be called back.

The Army conducted its first flag march, after the J&K government made a proposal request to bring in army in Srinagar and other troubled areas of the Kashmir valley. This comes a day after fresh protests broke out in Srinagar leading to clashes with the security forces. It was reported that 4 people were allegedly killed in the clashes on Tuesday.
source: agency