Why J&K 'unrepresented' at PM's high-level meet, asks Omar

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday raised questions on Jammu and Kashmir being "unrepresented" at a high-level meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the law and order situation of the state following the spate of violence.

In a tweet, Abdullah said that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's presence at the meeting could have been ensured via video-conferencing.

"I understand if Mehbooba Mufti didn't leave the state to attend (the meeting) but why not by video conference? State unrepresented," Abdullah tweeted soon after the meeting began at 7 RCR, the official residence of the Prime Minister.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other high officials.

Abdullah said that despite having the provision for video links, nothing was done to include Mehbooba Mufti in the meeting.

"We set up video links for all sorts of meaningless things but here where it matters to have Mehbooba Mufti involved in the process - nothing," Abdullah said in another tweet.

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 32 people have been killed in violent protests in the Kashmir Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani on Friday.

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

--IANS

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