Rajnath speaks to Mehbooba; discusses Kashmir situation

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today had a telephonic conversation with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during which the turbulent situation prevailing in the state was discussed.

The nature of the conversation was not immediately known but the telephonic talk came a day after Mehbooba said neither she nor the security forces were aware of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani’s presence during the raid at his hideout on July 8 in which he was killed. The killing had led to violent protests that has resulted in the death of 47 people in the Valley.

Without disclosing the details, official sources here said the prevailing situation in the state was discussed with Mehbooba.

Mehbooba had told reporters in Srinagar, “as far as I know, what I heard from police, army, who said they only knew that there were three militants but did not know who.

“So, what can I say on what they are saying. I feel if they knew (that Burhan was there), perhaps we would not have such a situation when the overall situation was improving, so it could have been a chance (ek chance ho sakta tha).”

Last week, the Home Minister had visited Srinagar and met a cross-section of people and said the central government wants an emotional relationship with the state and not just need-based. Singh had also said the Centre will talk to whosoever needed once peace and normalcy is restored in the state.

However, main opposition National Conference and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has rubbished Mehbooba’s claim that she was not aware of the encounter between the security forces and Burhan, which resulted in the latter’s death. Omar said that Mufti was kept fully informed of the July 8 encounter.

“I’m going by the first on record statement by Jammu and Kashmir Police to the media that the CM (chief minister) was kept fully informed of the encounter. At no point in the first Jammu and Kashmir Police media briefing was it ever suggested that they didn’t know who was trapped,” Omar said in a series of tweets.