J&K: Situation tensed after killing of 3 people; 'Muscular policy will not help', says Chidambaram

The Chief Minister of the state Mehbooba Mufti has expressed deep anguish over the death of a 23-year-old man in Batamaloo area of the city. (Image: AP/Representational)

New Delhi: After the killing of three people in last 48 hours, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is tensed. On Sunday, a person affiliated with National Conference was killed in his home. The Chief Minister of the state Mehbooba Mufti has expressed deep anguish over the death of a 23-year-old man in Batamaloo area of the city. She asked the security forces to "exercise maximum restraint while operating in provocative situations" and also condemned the killing of Bashir Ahmad. He was gunned down by unidentified gunmen at Qasbayar in Pulwama on Saturday, an official spokesman said. "The Chief Minister has directed the security forces to exercise maximum restraint while performing their duties in provocative situations and follow the laid down SOPs (standard operating procedures) strictly in such cases," he said reported PTI. Mehbooba Mufti has also sought a report from the state police department about an incident of violence at Degree College Pulwama on Saturday. In the incident, more than 50 students were injured. "The Chief Minister has also sought a report on the surfacing of some 'disturbing' videos in the valley, which she termed as 'unacceptable and atrocious'," the spokesman added, reported the news agency. Meanwhile, Congress leader P Chidambaram said "muscular" policy will not resolve the J&K issue. He said, on Sunday, that all governments have responded to this "challenge" by deploying more army and killing protesters. "A muscular policy will not help - tough talk by ministers, dire warnings by the Army Chief, deploying more troops or killing protesters," the former Home Minister said on Twitter.

1/2 Every government in J&K and every government at the Centre has responded to the challenge with more warnings, more troops and more laws

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 16, 2017

2/2 A muscular policy will not help - tough talk by ministers, dire warnings by the Army Chief, deploying more troops or killing protesters

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) April 16, 2017