Avoid killing civilians, forces in J&K told

The Home Ministry has cautioned security forces to avoid civilian killings in J&K at all costs, a senior government official said.

The Centre has sent a message to the Army, the Central Armed Police Forces and the State police not to kill civilians.

The Centre and the State government want to ensure a peaceful summer, as tourism has taken a massive hit in the past two years due to a series of encounters and protests.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has also made it clear that the panchayat elections should be held after the tourist season is over. According to the Home Ministry’s data, as many as 64 incidents of ‘terrorist violence’ were reported till March 11 in J&K, where two civilians were killed. Last year, 39 terrorist-related incidents were reported during the same period. In 2016-17, as many as 664 terrorist-related incidents were reported, whereas in 2015, there were 208 such incidents.

‘Maximum caution’

“Tourism is the main revenue generator in the State and it has suffered immensely in the past two years. While, the operation against militants will continue, the security forces have been asked to exercise maximum caution,” said the official.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Joint Secretary Gyanesh Kumar visited Srinagar on Monday, where they are learnt to have reviewed the security situation and the pending infrastructure projects in the State.

The situation in the Kashmir Valley has been fragile since July 8, 2016 when Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and two others were killed in an encounter with security forces. The Valley was rocked by violent protests.

“We are watching the situation very closely and the summers ahead are crucial for the State. Normalcy has to be restored in the Valley at all costs as people have suffered huge losses,” said the official.