Modi chairs high-level meet on Kashmir, appeals for peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed for peace in Jammu and Kashmir and assured every possible assistance to the state government in maintaining law and order in the wake of the violent clashes.

Modi took stock of the situation in the state at a high-level meeting in Delhi and also voiced concern over the incidents of violence in the valley where curfew continued for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday.

"Prime Minister has appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain calm and peace so that normalcy returns in the valley and no innocent lives are disturbed," Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh told reporters soon after the meeting concluded.

"The Prime Minister voiced concern over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, gave guidance and also appealed for peace," he added.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and senior security officers.

Jitendra Singh also said that the Prime Minister offered every assistance to the state government and assured it of providing every help.

He said the Prime Minister is keeping a close watch on the sequence of events in the valley.

"The Prime Minister kept taking updates about the Jammu and Kashmir situation during his foreign visit. Soon after returning from his four-nation tour on Tuesday morning, he convened the high-level meeting. This is evidence that he was keeping a close tab on the situation of the state," Jitendra Singh said.

The Prime Minister also expressed hope that innocent people should not face inconvenience and expressed satisfaction over the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.

Modi returned home on Tuesday morning after a five-day official tour of four African nations.

On Monday, Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir in a meeting with Parrikar, Jaitley, Doval and top security officials.

At least 30 people have been killed in clashes in the Kashmir Valley in violent protests that broke out following the killing of a top militant commander last Friday.

--IANS

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