Advani to chair security meeting on Kashmir

NEW DELHI: Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani is to chair a crucial meeting on security in Kashmir in the wake of a massacre of 24 Hindus last week.

The meeting of Kashmir government representatives and defence and intelligence officials will take place in the Indian capital New Delhi on Monday. Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Defence Minister George Fernandes will attend.

New Delhi wants to review the “healing touch policy” of Sayeed, who came to power in November.

He has been criticised for ordering the release of some rebels and separatist leaders and merging a much feared intelligence unit with the Kashmir police.

On March 23 freedom fighters herded 24 Hindus, including 11 women and two children, from their homes in Nadi Marg village and shot them with automatic weapons before escaping into nearby forests.

Besides stepping up security in the region, New Delhi believes it is also important to send “strong signals” to freedom fighters that attacks such as these will not be overlooked, the official said.

Monday’s meeting will also take up the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation of the Hindus who had left Kashmir, the PTI report said. —AFP

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