New Delhi:
After being slammed by the Opposition on the Kishtwar clashes in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, in which three people were killed, the government today made a statement in Parliament.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram made the statement in the Rajya Sabha on the government's behalf. Here are the highlights:
- Eid prayers were over by 10:30 hours but stone pelting and arson continued thereafter
- Army was called in shortly after noon and staged a flag-march at around 1700 hours.
- No untoward incident reported in Kishtwar town after the Army was called in, curfew has been enforced strictly.
- All of us are Indians. Three Indian lives have been lost and that is a matter of great regret.
- Curfew imposed in 8 of 10 districts in Jammu region. Army called out as a precautionary
- Army continues to be deployed in Kishtwar for a fourth consecutive day.
- District administration came to the conclusion that time not appropriate for Leader of the Opposition to visit
- Once the situation returns to normal, the govt of J&K will certainly allow political leaders to visit and meet the people
- Section 144 is status neutral, gender and caste neutral; the decision lies with the district administration
- State govt has made arrests and arrests will continue
- Central govt will extend all possible support to state govt for maintaining law and order
- Let me assure this house that will not allow a repeat of 1990, everyone will be protected in the areas they are in
- Urge restraint while the state govt restores normalcy