Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday directed security forces to “adopt a more humane approach” and “exercise maximum restraint” while dealing with situations in Kashmir.
Chairing the unified headquarters meeting here, Mehbooba reviewed the overall security scenario in the state, including the situation obtaining in areas along the borders, an official spokesman said in a statement.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister stressed upon the security agencies to “adopt a more humane approach while dealing with the situations and exercise maximum restraint and strictly ensure safety and security of people and their properties”, the spokesman said.
Mehbooba said that the need of the hour is to “engage meaningfully with the people, particularly youth, so that they are able to contribute to the society and its welfare.”
She stressed on increased community policing activities and enhanced outreach by the administration, the spokesman said.
Deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh, top brass of the army, police, central paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies were presented in the meeting.
A source told Greater Kashmir that the chief minister was “very annoyed” over frequent civilian killings in clashes with government forces, reports of human right violations, harassment to general public during the cordon-and-search operations in various parts Kashmir and “miseries” of border inhabitants .
The issues related to ‘operation all-out’ and cordon-and-search operations were also raised in the meeting and the chief minister asked the top army officers to ensure “minimum trouble to civilians during anti-militancy operations.”
The source said that the issue of upcoming panchayat elections was also discussed in detail and the chief minster directed all agencies to “work in unison to ensure peaceful conduct of the polls.”
The meeting was also attended by chief secretary BB Vyas; GoC in C, northern command, lieutenant general Devraj Anbu; principal secretary, Home, RK Goyal; GoC of 9 corps, lieutenant general YVK Menon; GoC of 14 corps, lieutenant general SK Upadhaya; GoC of 15 corps, lieutenant general JS Sandhu; GoC of 16 corps, lieutenant general Saranjeet Singh; director general of police SP Vaid; principal secretary to chief minister, Rohit Kansal; ADGPs AG Mir and Muneer Ahmad Khan; ADGP, CRPF; divisional commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan; Inspectors general of BSF and CRPF, Jammu & Kashmir frontiers and other senior officers.