Army Deployed in Srinagar as ‘Deterrent’: Chidambaram

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has said that the army has been deployed in Srinagar as ‘deterrent’ and that the police and paramilitary forces will maintain law and order, said media reports.

“The army has been kept ready. The purpose of deployment of the army was a deterrent effect. Police and paramilitary forces are maintaining the law and order,” Chidambaram was quoted as saying while talking to reporters.

The minister said that the situation in the Kashmir valley was peace except two ‘minor incidents yesterday’, reports said.

“So far today (Thursday) I have not received any reports of any incident,” he was quoted as saying.

The minister said that the army would remain on duty in Srinagar ‘as long as it is necessary’, said reports.

“And I hope it will not be necessary for too long,” he said, adding the curfew should be enforced “and observed by everybody for the next two-three days”.

Many parts of the valley have been under an indefinite curfew enforced with the army’s assistance following violent protests that led to three deaths in firing by security forces Tuesday.

The minister appealed to parents in the valley not to allow their children to violate the curfew and stone security personnel, reports said.

“Our appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is – observe the curfew, stay indoors. It is important that people don’t come into the streets and start stone pelting. Parents must ensure that their children, young boys should remain indoors,” he was quoted as saying.

(Based on internet reports)