Governor convenes emergency meeting with Northern Army Commander

SRINAGAR, JULY 7:    Governor N.N. Vohra convened a high level meeting at the Raj Bhavan today to review the security situation in Kashmir Valley, in the context of the incident earlier in the day in which three civilians had lost their lives in district Kulgam. Governor had especially invited Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Northern Army Commander, to participate in the discussions.

Expressing deep anguish on the loss of civilian lives, including a teenage girl, Governor reiterated the vital importance of the laid down Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) being most strictly adhered to by Army and all Security Forces to avoid incidents of civilian casualties and collateral damages, even in situations of extreme provocation. He also re-emphasized the crucial importance of sustained collaborative action and synergy between the Armed Forces and the State Police with the civil administration in dealing with difficult situations, particularly to ensure against the loss of civilian lives.

Governor was briefed by the heads of all Security Forces on issues relating to security management and the arrangements made for the safe conduct of the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra.

Besides the Northern Army Commander the meeting was attended by the three Advisors to Governor, Sh. B.B. Vyas, Sh. K. Vijay Kumar and Sh. Khurshid Ganai; Dr. S.P. Vaid, Director General of Police; Sh. Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor; Sh. R.K. Goyal, Principal Secretary Home;  Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhat, GOC XV Corps;  Sh. A.G Mir, ADGP, CID; Sh. Muneer Khan, ADGP, Home Guards, Security and Law and Order; Sh. Baseer Khan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Sh. S.P. Pani, IGP, Kashmir; Sh. Zulfiquar Hasan, IG, CRPF (Ops) Kashmir; Sh. Ravideep Singh Sahi, IG, CRPF Kashmir; and Ms. Sonali Mishra, IG, BSF.