Cong urges govt not to precipitate crisis in J-K, maintain state's Constitutional guarantees

The Congress on Friday urged the government not to take any decision that would precipitate a crisis in Jammu and Kashmir and asked it to ensure the constitutional guarantees given to the state are maintained.

The appeal to the government came after a Congress policy planning group on Jammu and Kashmir met under the chairmanship of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

"There was deep concern expressed at the continuous reports emanating from both the Union Home Ministry and the State Government which were creating an atmosphere of panic and apprehension about the intentions of the government," an official statement said.

It said the "massive build-up" of security forces, curtailment of the Sri Amarnath Yatra, also the unprecedented advisories being issued to the tourists, yatris and other civilians, are all creating an atmosphere of heightened insecurity and fear.

Earlier in the day, the Army said Pakistan-based terrorists are planning to target the Amarnath Yatra in the Kashmir Valley but security forces are up to the task to foil any such design. After the Army's announcement, the Jammu and Kashmir government asked Amarnath Yatris and tourists to cut short their stay in the Valley and return as soon as possible.

The Congress statement said, "The Group urged the government not to take any decision which would precipitate a deep crisis."