Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Tuesday asked the Army and CRPF top brass to exercise restraint while dealing with the civilian unrest and the anti-militancy operations in Kashmir.

While chairing the Unified Command meeting Tuesday, Chief Minister directed the security agencies to avoid collateral damage while dealing with the anti-militancy operations and the law and order situations.
A top official who attended the meeting said, that the CM directed that during the anti-militancy operations or while dealing with the civilian unrest “people should not go through any inconvenience.’’
A government spokesman said that the CM also directed the security agencies to improve the public interface and make it a regular affair. She said counseling sessions should be held for youth “to allay apprehensions and misgivings about the system.’’
Directing the security agencies to exercise restraint while dealing with provocative situations, she added “wherever restraint was exercised, it showed positive results on the ground for the government and helped in maintaining peace and order.’’
“The youth unfortunately caught in the cycle of misinformation and violence are our own who ought to be won over with a healing touch,’’ Mehbooba told the officers.
CM called upon engaging the youth emphasizing that “care should be taken to avoid and minimize all collateral damage while conducting operations.”
She also directed that parents of youth be taken into confidence as and when “there is some complaint about any youth and in no way should the family be held accountable for the deeds of the said youth.’’
“Inter community harmony and amity among various sections of society should be maintained at all costs. Culprits should be brought to justice if found spreading hatred against a section of society or in the name of a social cause and if need be strict provisions of law be slapped on such hate mongers who are found taking law into their own hands,’’ she said.
The meeting came at a time when the government has been caught in the tight spot after the spate of student protests and fears that the situation may turn worse and this could be the beginning of another summer unrest. After the recent violence in the parliamentary polls, election on Anantang seat has already been deferred to May 25.
Among others who attended the meeting include, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, Chief Secretary, B. R. Sharma, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B B Vyas, Principal Secretary, Home, R. K. Goyal, Director General of Police, Dr. Sheesh Pal Vaid, GoC in C of Northern Command, Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu, Corps Commanders of various Army formations operating in the state, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu and senior officers of CRPF, BSF and J&K Police.

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