As reports of attacks on Kashmiri students and residents emerged from various places in the country, the Union Home Ministry on Saturday asked all States to take steps to ensure their safety and security. At a security review meeting on Saturday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh asked officials to highlight the involvement of Pakistan in the Pulwama terror attack as much as possible.
After arson and violence was reported from Jammu city, Mr. Singh spoke to former Deputy Chief Cinister of J&K Nirmal Singh and sought his assistance in maintaining peace. He then called BJP State president Ravinder Raina, and cautioned him that no one from the party should be encouraged to give speeches or statements that could further fan violence. “He was told that they should not be participants in any untoward violence,” a senior official said.
“There have been some reports of students and other residents of J&K experiencing threats and intimidation in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pulwama. Therefore, the Ministry issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories to take necessary measures to ensure their safety and security,” a senior official said, quoting the advisory.
Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Mr. Singh and requested him to take all steps to ensure Jammu remained calm.
A day ago, curfew was imposed in Jammu’s Gujjar Nagar after protesters set on fire parked vehicles in a particular community’s area during a bandh called by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Jammu Bar Association. A number of vehicles were damaged in Gujjar Nagar after protesters attacked them with sticks and stones, locals said.
The shops of some shawl traders in Patna was vandalised by a mob wielding lathis, who gave them an ultimatum to leave the State within 24 hours.
Mr. Singh chaired an all-party meeting earlier in the day and later took a review meeting where top officials including Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief A.K. Dhasmana and Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba were present.
“The Home Minister told the officials that all political parties were together on the issue. The officials have been asked to monitor the law and order situation and highlight Pakistani links to the attack,” said a senior government official. It was also decided to scale down the security cover of individuals with suspected links to Pakistan.
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