Deal with firmness, restraint: J&K cabinet directs security forces

The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet on Tuesday expressed anguish over the loss of lives during last week's violence in the valley and directed the security forces to deal with the situation with firmness and restraint.

While reviewing the security situation, the Cabinet directed the Police and security agencies to "exercise maximum restraint while handling law and order situations to prevent loss of human lives."

The Cabinet, which met on Tuesday here, under the chair of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also made an appeal to all shades of political opinion to help restore peace.

"The State Cabinet expressed deep anguish over the loss of precious lives in the Kashmir valley during the prevailing law and order situation," an official release said.

"The Cabinet urged the civil society and parents to counsel the youth to stay away from violent protests which, in spite of maximum restraint, can at times lead to fatal consequences," it added.

The State administration was also directed to take all required measures to tackle the situation "effectively and at the same time ensure that the general public is not put to any inconvenience and their grievances are addressed".

The Kashmir Valley witnessed massive violence during the Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha by-poll on April 9, in which eight civilians were killed in security forces firing during clashes with protesters.

Another youth was killed in firing in Srinagar on Saturday. Widespread violence also engulfed a college in Pulwama with students protesting against security forces.

--IANS

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