Kashmir: Clashes between stone-pelting students & security forces reported, 26 injured

Stone-pelters in Kashmir/ File image/ PTI

New Delhi: On Wednesday, clashes between stone-pelting students and security forces reported from number of areas in Kashmir. 26 were reportedly injured. In a recent development, on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir government ordered suspension of Internet services in Kashmir Valley for a month amid student protests. In a related but different incident, on Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah said the party will discuss the possibility of a dialogue between the Centre and all stakeholders to bring order to the disturbed state of Jammu and Kashmir. On Monday, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said Prime Minister Narendra Modi intended to hold talks in a "conducive atmosphere" with all stakeholders to bring order to the troubled state. Mufti invoked ex-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's policy, saying "talks" were the only way to "move forward". "Mehbooba Mufti has given a statement. Now our party (the team which will decide the policy for Kashmir) will discuss the matter and come to me with their views. Then a decision will be taken," Amit Shah said when asked whether his party will initiate a dialogue with stone pelters, reported IANS. As speculations gained momentum about the possibility of Governor's rule in J&K, Mehbooba Mufti met Modi in New Delhi on Monday to review the worsening security situation; amid allegations that the PDP-BJP coalition government has failed to control law and order in the Kashmir Valley. Asked about security lapses after a video of school-going students raising Pakistani and Islamic State (IS) terror group flags in Srinagar surfaced, Shah denied it and said there is no security lapse.