Rajth reviews security in J&K, Assam

NEW DELHI, Aug 16: Union Home Minister Rajth Singh on Tuesday held a high-level review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir and instructed security officials to restore peace and normalcy in the state at the earliest.

He cautioned that the casualties of both civilians and security personnel in the violence-hit state should be minimum.

The minister was, in turn, briefed by top officials on the prevailing situation in Kashmir and the infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector in Kashmir.

tiol Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and chiefs of intelligence agencies and other top civil and security officials attended the meeting, sources said here.

The meeting was held even as reports from Srigar said five civilian protestors were killed in firing by security forces in fresh violence in the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday, taking the toll to 65 since the July 8 killing of rebel commander Burhan Wani. There have been reports of violence and stone-pelting in Budgam and Antg districts as well, sources said.

Pramod Kumar, commandant of the 49 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was killed on Monday after four militants hurled a grede and opened fire at a security patrol in an old city area of Srigar.

At the meeting, Rajth Singh reviewed the overall security scerio in Assam, which also saw militant attacks.

Suspected militants exploded five bombs in Charaido and Tinsukia districts as the Northeastern state was celebrating the 70th Independence Day on Monday.

On August 5, 14 persons were killed and at least 20 injured by NDFB-S militants in Kokrajhar district of Assam. A week later on August 12, suspected ULFA(I) militants shot dead two persons and injured seven at Philobari in Tinsukia district. (IANS)