Kashmir unrest: PM Narendra Modi holds meeting at 7, RCR; Rajnath Singh cancels US trip

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing violent clashes between security forces and protesters in the aftermath of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

New Delhi: A high-level meeting is underway at 7, Race Course Road over tension in the Kashmir Valley in the wake of the killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen militant Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

As curfew continued for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday in most parts of the Kashmir Valley to prevent widespread violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders are reviewing the situation in the Kashmir Valley, where one of the worst violence in recent years has left 24 people dead.

With Kashmir on the edge, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has postponed his visit to the United States to attend the Indo-US Homeland Security Dialogue scheduled for next week.

Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were present at the meeting at 7, Race Course Road, the Prime Minister`s House, here.

Modi returned on Tuesday morning after a five-day official tour of four African nations.

On Monday, Rajnath Singh met senior Union Ministers and officials. During the meeting, it was suggested that security forces make "judicious" use of force and ensure smooth movement of Amarnath pilgrims.

According to official sources, the Prime Minister will today be given a detailed presentation on the prevailing situation in Kashmir Valley arising out of escalating protests following the killing of Wani on Friday.

Mobile Internet services across the Valley and train services remained suspended for the fourth day even as mobile telephony was partially restored in the four districts of south Kashmir.

Normal life remained affected across the Valley due to the strike called by the separatists groups.

Public transport was completely off the roads while private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying at few places in the areas where there were no restrictions, they said.

Educational institutions in the Valley were closed on account of the ongoing summer vacations, while Central University of Kashmir (CUK), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) have postponed the examinations due to the prevailing situation.

Most of the separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, are either in custody or house arrest.

(With Agency inputs)