Jammu, Feb 26: Governor Satya Pal Malik Tuesday reviewed the prevailing law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir following India’s air strikes inside the Pakistani territory.
The meeting was attended by K. Vijay Kumar, Advisor to Governor; B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary Home; Dilbagh Singh, DGP; Dr. B. Srinivas, ADGP, CID; Munir Khan, ADGP, Law & Order; V.S. Kaumudi, ADG, CRPF; N.S. Jamwal, IG, BSF and representatives of other agencies.
In the meeting, Governor was briefed about the prevailing law and order and security situation in the state and was informed that the life in both Kashmir Valley and in Jammu region was normal.
Governor was also informed about the shutdown call given by separatists for tomorrow.
After assessing the situation in the state, Governor directed all forces to take effective measures to maintain public order and peace across the state. He complimented the people of Jammu and Kashmir for remaining composed today and not getting unnecessarily alarmed. Governor directed the government forces to take all possible steps to ensure that civilians remain safe in case of any eventuality, an official spokesperson said.
He said Governor appealed to the people to not listen or believe rumours being circulated in social media or through other means. He said that the government is concerned about people’s welfare and in case it is necessary, it would communciate directly with them through radio, T.V. and other means.
Maintenance of calm attitude is priority at this juncture, he said and asked people to carry on their normal activities without any undue stress or fear.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam also asked people to remain stress free and go about their normal activities.
“In case there is anything to be communicated regarding people’s safety and security, the government will do so directly, through media,” Subrahmanyam said in a brief statement without mentioning the air strike.
“The people are urged to be calm and not to believe in rumours circulating on WhatsApp or other social media,” he said.
Residents of Kashmir had gone on a hoarding spree after the government launched a crackdown on separatists and Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir cadres last week.
The move was followed by the deployment of 100 additional companies of paramilitary forces in the Valley.
Governor Satya Pal Malik had on Sunday while trying to allay fears of the people Valley on deployment of additional companies of paramilitary forces in the Valley, said it was only an election-related exercise and there was no reason to panic.
In an apparent dig at him today, NC leader Omar Abdullah said the reports about an Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster III flying over Jammu and Kashmir was about election duty and had nothing to do with the air strikes in Pakistan.
“It’s sitting in Srinagar offloading paramilitary forces to deal with internal security & election duty. Has nothing to do with the airstrike in to Pakistan this morning,” the National Conference leader said.
