KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Briefing media after the hour long cabinet meeting, Education Minister Naeem Akhtar on Sunday appealed for peace and restoration of normalcy. He particularly sought the help of parents in counselling the youth to avoid pushing the situation to a level where security men “lack options other than using force”.
The minister who is also spokesperson of the cabinet said the government will look into the “instances to see if disproportionate force was used to manage agitators”.
He put the death toll at 15 excluding the cop who was pushing into the river at Sangam along with the mobile bunker that he was driving. He said three cops are still missing.
The cabinet that met under the chair of Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti got detailed presentations by the Chief Secretary and the state police chief. The latter was on leave and resumed his duties only Sunday morning.
The cabinet was informed about the scale of the agitation and the quantum of attacks. Akhtar specially mentioned the attacks on the police stations, posts, garrisons. “Only last night the house of an SDPO rank police officer was attacked,” Akhtar said.
“In the afternoon, a police bunker was pushing into the river and it led to the killing of the driver.” He said some cops who were kidnapped are still missing.
“We regret the loss but we appeal to the parents to please ensure that the level of protest is not taking to the extent where the security forces fell compelled to open fire,” Akhtar said.
The minister said that Health Minister gave a detailed presentation to the cabinet and denied rumours that the hospitals were running shot of medicine or the blood. “Right now SMHS has 250 pints of blood available and if people want to donate blood they are welcome,” Akhtar said. “The government will take care of the injured and if some of them require flying out for treatment, we will manage that as well.”
Akhtar said a lot of tourists had arrived this season. But because of the situation those who are here are keen to fly back. He said the government is making preparations for getting some additional flights to fly them home. Amarnath Yatra, however, continued to remain suspended for the second consecutive day.
On the very first question when a journalist asked the Education Minister if the government will step down, the minister refused to take questions.
