Amid growing Indo-Pak strain, India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh said today that India will completely seal the India-Pakistan border by December 2018.

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Singh made the statement after reviewing the security situation with the interior ministers and senior officials of the four bordering states as Indian media continues to report about ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

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&quot;We will start a new concept called Border Security Grid, and the inputs from all the border states will be taken,&quot; Rajanth&nbsp;was quoted as saying by Indian media.&nbsp;

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&quot;This project will be periodically monitored by the&nbsp;home secretary at the central level, Border Security Forces (BSF) from the security forces perspective and chief secretaries at the state level.&quot;

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The two South Asian neighbours have been at loggerheads with each other over the past few weeks. Ongoing unrest in Kashmir Valley, September 18 Uri attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers, and Indian Army&#39;s announcement last week&nbsp;that it conducted surgical strikes in Pak-administered Kashmir further fuelled the tension.&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, Rajnath&nbsp;said that the technology will be also used under the plan. &quot;Like we have riverine and Sir Creek area in Gujarat (a western Indian state), there we will make maximum use of technology for effective sealing of border.&quot; &nbsp;

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Indian daily DNA reported that Singh chaired the security meeting attended by the chief minister of&nbsp;western Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje, deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gujarat&#39;s minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, and Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Brij Raj Sharma.

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The interior minister also said that the nation&#39;s security will never be compromised. &quot;Tension between India and Pakistan has increased; countrymen should trust security forces and stand by them,&quot; added.&nbsp;

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(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
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India is planning to start a new concept called Border Security Grid

Amid growing Indo-Pak strain, India's interior minister Rajnath Singh said today that India will completely seal the India-Pakistan border by December 2018. Singh made the statement after reviewing the security situation with the interior ministers and senior officials of the four bordering states as Indian media continues to report about ceasefire violations by Pakistan. "We will start a new concept called Border Security Grid, and the inputs from all the border states will be taken," Rajanth was quoted as saying by Indian media. "This project will be periodically monitored by the home secretary at the central level, Border Security Forces (BSF) from the security forces perspective and chief secretaries at the state level." The two South Asian neighbours have been at loggerheads with each other over the past few weeks. Ongoing unrest in Kashmir Valley, September 18 Uri attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers, and Indian Army's announcement last week that it conducted surgical strikes in Pak-administered Kashmir further fuelled the tension. Meanwhile, Rajnath said that the technology will be also used under the plan. "Like we have riverine and Sir Creek area in Gujarat (a western Indian state), there we will make maximum use of technology for effective sealing of border." Indian daily DNA reported that Singh chaired the security meeting attended by the chief minister of western Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje, deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gujarat's minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, and Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary Brij Raj Sharma. The interior minister also said that the nation's security will never be compromised. "Tension between India and Pakistan has increased; countrymen should trust security forces and stand by them," added. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Will seal Indo-Pak border by December 2018: Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh

At an hour-long meeting of top security officials in the Indian capital on Sunday, Interior minister Rajnath Singh directed the security forces to go after those instigating youths to indulge in violence in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
Sources said Rajnath Singh asked forces to take strict action against the violators and book them as they continue to disrupt normal life in the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
Singh said the troops must aim to bring back normalcy in the state within a week. He added that schools and other educational institutions are the worst sufferers amid the prolonged turmoil and must be allowed to function soon.&nbsp; 
 
He told officials that attempts should also be made to reopen shops and other commercial establishments which were completely shut.&nbsp; 
 
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was present at the security meeting in the capital, besides other senior officials.&nbsp; 
 
The officials had briefed the interior minister of the prevailing situation in the state as well as the border areas.&nbsp; 
 
76 people have lost their lives so far as the unrest continues for the 66th day in the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
The violence had started following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces on July 8. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
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Singh has asked the security forces to restore normalcy in the Kashmir Valley within a week

At an hour-long meeting of top security officials in the Indian capital on Sunday, Interior minister Rajnath Singh directed the security forces to go after those instigating youths to indulge in violence in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sources said Rajnath Singh asked forces to take strict action against the violators and book them as they continue to disrupt normal life in the Valley. Singh said the troops must aim to bring back normalcy in the state within a week. He added that schools and other educational institutions are the worst sufferers amid the prolonged turmoil and must be allowed to function soon. He told officials that attempts should also be made to reopen shops and other commercial establishments which were completely shut. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was present at the security meeting in the capital, besides other senior officials. The officials had briefed the interior minister of the prevailing situation in the state as well as the border areas. 76 people have lost their lives so far as the unrest continues for the 66th day in the Valley. The violence had started following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces on July 8. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Kashmir unrest: Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh directs forces to crack down on 'instigators'

Amidst continuing unrest in Kashmir Valley, India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where a policeman and four militants were killed in two separate incidents. 
 
Singh reviewed the situation in the state with national security advisor Ajit Doval, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other top officials during an hour-long meeting, official sources said. 
 
The officials gave a briefing on the prevailing situation in Kashmir Valley as well as along the border and the steps taken to restore normalcy in the state, the sources said. 
 
The recent conflict in the Valley began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. So far 76 people have lost their lives in the turmoil that has been continuing for the last 65 days. 
 
A policeman was killed and two others, including an officer, were injured as security forces engaged in twin encounters with four terrorists who are holed up at two places near the under-construction mini secretariat in Poonch town of the state. 
 
Meanwhile, the Army foiled three infiltration bids along the Line of Control in Naugam, Tangdhar and Gurez sectors of Kashmir, killing four militants. 
 
(PTI)

The recent unrest in the Valley began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8

Amidst continuing unrest in Kashmir Valley, India's interior minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where a policeman and four militants were killed in two separate incidents. Singh reviewed the situation in the state with national security advisor Ajit Doval, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other top officials during an hour-long meeting, official sources said. The officials gave a briefing on the prevailing situation in Kashmir Valley as well as along the border and the steps taken to restore normalcy in the state, the sources said. The recent conflict in the Valley began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. So far 76 people have lost their lives in the turmoil that has been continuing for the last 65 days. A policeman was killed and two others, including an officer, were injured as security forces engaged in twin encounters with four terrorists who are holed up at two places near the under-construction mini secretariat in Poonch town of the state. Meanwhile, the Army foiled three infiltration bids along the Line of Control in Naugam, Tangdhar and Gurez sectors of Kashmir, killing four militants. (PTI)

India's interior minister reviews Kashmir situation

In an unprecedented move, 15 joint secretaries serving in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to reconsider the decision to suspend senior IAS officer G K Dwivedi for renewing the FCRA licence of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik&#39;s NGO. 
 
They conveyed to the Home Minister that Dwivedi, who was serving as Joint Secretary (Foreigners) in the Home Ministry, has been &quot;wrongly punished&quot; for the alleged lapses of his juniors, who reportedly facilitated the renewal of FCRA licence of Naik&#39;s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). Sources said the senior officers, mostly belonging to IAS, told the Home Minister that Dwivedi is an honest officer and such action sent the &quot;wrong signal&quot; and was &quot;demoralising&quot; for others. 
 
The Home Minister assured the joint secretaries that he will look into the matter, the sources said. Dwivedi also separately met the Home Minister to plead his case. 
 
The move by the joint secretaries is seen as unprecedented as there has been no such happening when the bureaucrats joined hands to stand by one of their colleagues, who faced disciplinary action by the government. 
 
Dwivedi, along with three of his junior officers, was suspended last week after the government found that the FCRA licence of an NGO run by Naik was renewed by the Home Ministry&#39;s Foreigners Division headed by him (Dwivedi) despite several probes against Naik for allegedly radicalising youths and attracting them towards extremism. On Saturday, four joint secretaries had met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi with the same demand. 
 
&quot;It is demoralising for honest officers. I feel injustice has been done to Mr Dwivedi. We have conveyed our feelings,&quot; Joint Secretary (Police-I) in the Home Ministry Kumar Alok, who was one of the four officers, had told PTI when asked whether he had met the Union Home Secretary pleading Dwivedi&#39;s case. 
 
(PTI) 
 
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GK Dwivedi was suspended after the government found that the FCRA licence of an NGO run by Naik was renewed by the Home Ministry's Foreigners Division headed by him

In an unprecedented move, 15 joint secretaries serving in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to reconsider the decision to suspend senior IAS officer G K Dwivedi for renewing the FCRA licence of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's NGO. They conveyed to the Home Minister that Dwivedi, who was serving as Joint Secretary (Foreigners) in the Home Ministry, has been "wrongly punished" for the alleged lapses of his juniors, who reportedly facilitated the renewal of FCRA licence of Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). Sources said the senior officers, mostly belonging to IAS, told the Home Minister that Dwivedi is an honest officer and such action sent the "wrong signal" and was "demoralising" for others. The Home Minister assured the joint secretaries that he will look into the matter, the sources said. Dwivedi also separately met the Home Minister to plead his case. The move by the joint secretaries is seen as unprecedented as there has been no such happening when the bureaucrats joined hands to stand by one of their colleagues, who faced disciplinary action by the government. Dwivedi, along with three of his junior officers, was suspended last week after the government found that the FCRA licence of an NGO run by Naik was renewed by the Home Ministry's Foreigners Division headed by him (Dwivedi) despite several probes against Naik for allegedly radicalising youths and attracting them towards extremism. On Saturday, four joint secretaries had met Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi with the same demand. "It is demoralising for honest officers. I feel injustice has been done to Mr Dwivedi. We have conveyed our feelings," Joint Secretary (Police-I) in the Home Ministry Kumar Alok, who was one of the four officers, had told PTI when asked whether he had met the Union Home Secretary pleading Dwivedi's case. (PTI)

Zakir Naik's NGO licence: IAS officers ask India's home minister to reconsider colleague's suspension

India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh today briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in Kashmir after returning from his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
The interior minister, in an hour-long meeting, apprised Modi about the ground situation of the state assessed by the all-party delegation which visited Srinagar and Jammu on September 4 and 5. 
 
&quot;Briefed the Prime Minister on all-party delegation&#39;s visit to J&amp;K and also apprised him of the situation in the state,&quot; Singh said in a tweet after the meeting at the Prime Minster&#39;s residence. 
 
While the Prime Minister returned to the capital last night after his visit to Vietnam and China, the interior minister too had come back from Jammu and Kashmir last evening. 
 
Sources said the members of the all-party delegation are likely to meet in Delhi tomorrow to discuss their findings and chalk out future plans for Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
The all-party delegation seeking to end the turbulence in Kashmir concluded its visit yesterday with no breakthrough. 
 
Unhappy at the stubborn refusal of Hurriyat leaders to meet some MPs who had literally knocked at their doors in Srinagar, Singh had said that their conduct was against &quot;democracy, humanity or even &#39;Kashmiriyat&#39; (Kashmiri ethos)&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

In an hour-long meeting, Rajnath Singh apprised Modi about the ground situation in the state

India's interior minister Rajnath Singh today briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in Kashmir after returning from his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. The interior minister, in an hour-long meeting, apprised Modi about the ground situation of the state assessed by the all-party delegation which visited Srinagar and Jammu on September 4 and 5. "Briefed the Prime Minister on all-party delegation's visit to J&K and also apprised him of the situation in the state," Singh said in a tweet after the meeting at the Prime Minster's residence. While the Prime Minister returned to the capital last night after his visit to Vietnam and China, the interior minister too had come back from Jammu and Kashmir last evening. Sources said the members of the all-party delegation are likely to meet in Delhi tomorrow to discuss their findings and chalk out future plans for Jammu and Kashmir. The all-party delegation seeking to end the turbulence in Kashmir concluded its visit yesterday with no breakthrough. Unhappy at the stubborn refusal of Hurriyat leaders to meet some MPs who had literally knocked at their doors in Srinagar, Singh had said that their conduct was against "democracy, humanity or even 'Kashmiriyat' (Kashmiri ethos)". (PTI)

India's interior minister briefs PM Modi on Kashmir situation

India may harden its attitude towards separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, making their foreign travel difficult and scaling down the security which they enjoy at the exchequer&#39;s cost. 
 
Miffed over the cold shoulder treatment given by separatists to the MPs, who were part of the all-party delegation that visited the state, the ruling government is considering moves to curb their foreign travel by withdrawing their passports and denying travel documents in some cases. 
 
Besides these, the government will also scrutinise their bank accounts and complete pending investigations in cases against them so a strong message goes around that those provoking youths in Kashmir Valley to create disturbance since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 will not be spared, government sources said. 
 
The interior ministry&#39;s tough stand came apparently after the nod from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is said to have conveyed that time has come to act tough with the separatists, sources said. 
 
The snub by the Hurriyat leaders who refused to meet some members of the all-party delegation, has upset the government to the extent of India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh saying that such behaviour was neither &#39;Kashmiriyat&#39; nor &#39;Insaniyat&#39;. 
 
Communist Party of India (Marxist)&#39;s Sitaram Yechury, Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal (United), Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen&#39;s Asaduddin Owaisi and D Raja of Communist Party of India had gone to meet Hurriyat leaders. 
 
Sources said there was a feeling in the government that lack of governance was a major concern for Jammu and Kashmir and this needs to be addressed. 
 
The ruling government feels that the state government is treating separatists with kid gloves and have to be tough against them, they said, claiming students, parents and the middle class were getting restless and wanted the cycle of violence to end. 
 
The final decision on these issues, however, will be taken after the all-party delegation, which visited the troubled state, meets here tomorrow and consultations at the highest level of the government, sources said. 
 
(PTI)

The Indian government will also scrutinise their bank accounts and complete investigations in cases pending against them.

India may harden its attitude towards separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, making their foreign travel difficult and scaling down the security which they enjoy at the exchequer's cost. Miffed over the cold shoulder treatment given by separatists to the MPs, who were part of the all-party delegation that visited the state, the ruling government is considering moves to curb their foreign travel by withdrawing their passports and denying travel documents in some cases. Besides these, the government will also scrutinise their bank accounts and complete pending investigations in cases against them so a strong message goes around that those provoking youths in Kashmir Valley to create disturbance since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 will not be spared, government sources said. The interior ministry's tough stand came apparently after the nod from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is said to have conveyed that time has come to act tough with the separatists, sources said. The snub by the Hurriyat leaders who refused to meet some members of the all-party delegation, has upset the government to the extent of India's interior minister Rajnath Singh saying that such behaviour was neither 'Kashmiriyat' nor 'Insaniyat'. Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s Sitaram Yechury, Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal (United), Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen's Asaduddin Owaisi and D Raja of Communist Party of India had gone to meet Hurriyat leaders. Sources said there was a feeling in the government that lack of governance was a major concern for Jammu and Kashmir and this needs to be addressed. The ruling government feels that the state government is treating separatists with kid gloves and have to be tough against them, they said, claiming students, parents and the middle class were getting restless and wanted the cycle of violence to end. The final decision on these issues, however, will be taken after the all-party delegation, which visited the troubled state, meets here tomorrow and consultations at the highest level of the government, sources said. (PTI)

India may act tough with Kashmir separatists, withdraw passports, whittle down security

Fresh violence broke out in Kashmir as a 26-member team of Indian parliamentarians arrived in Srinagar on Sunday to allay tensions in the restive state. 
 
The conciliatory effort received another blow as Hurriyat, a group fighting for Kashmir&#39;s freedom, declined the offer to meet the delegation. 
 
The Hurriyat rejected Mufti&#39;s invitation for lack of clarity in the engagement process.&nbsp; 
 
Violence erupted in Shopian district in Kashmir on Sunday morning, injuring at least 50 people. 
 
A group of protesters also set ablaze the office of district magistrate (a senior government official), national radio broadcaster All India Radio tweeted.&nbsp; 
 
The clash broke out after Indian security forces tried to intervene a pro-freedom rally in Pinjura village. 
 
The clashes coincide with the arrival of Indian lawmakers in the Valley. The delegate, headed by India&#39;s home minister Rajnath Singh, is on a two-day visit to Srinagar&nbsp;to discuss the security situation in the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
The delegate met Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti earlier in the day to discuss ways to tackle the festering problem in the state. 
 
&quot;We intend to talk to individuals and groups who want peace and normalcy in Kashmir valley,&quot; India&#39;s home minister had said before leaving for Kashmir. &nbsp; 
 
Singh said the Centre would take a final decision with regard to Kashmir unrest on the basis of feedback and suggestions given by the delegation, which comprises members cutting across political affiliation. 
 
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti yesterday invited&nbsp;leaders of Hurriyat for talks with the all-party delegation. Hurriyat is&nbsp;an organisation that is fighting for Kashmir&#39;s independence.&nbsp; 
 
Kashmir has been gripped with tension following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
 
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The Hurriyat rejected Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's invitation for lacking clarity in the engagement process?

Fresh violence broke out in Kashmir as a 26-member team of Indian parliamentarians arrived in Srinagar on Sunday to allay tensions in the restive state. The conciliatory effort received another blow as Hurriyat, a group fighting for Kashmir's freedom, declined the offer to meet the delegation. The Hurriyat rejected Mufti's invitation for lack of clarity in the engagement process. Violence erupted in Shopian district in Kashmir on Sunday morning, injuring at least 50 people. A group of protesters also set ablaze the office of district magistrate (a senior government official), national radio broadcaster All India Radio tweeted. The clash broke out after Indian security forces tried to intervene a pro-freedom rally in Pinjura village. The clashes coincide with the arrival of Indian lawmakers in the Valley. The delegate, headed by India's home minister Rajnath Singh, is on a two-day visit to Srinagar to discuss the security situation in the Valley. The delegate met Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti earlier in the day to discuss ways to tackle the festering problem in the state. "We intend to talk to individuals and groups who want peace and normalcy in Kashmir valley," India's home minister had said before leaving for Kashmir. Singh said the Centre would take a final decision with regard to Kashmir unrest on the basis of feedback and suggestions given by the delegation, which comprises members cutting across political affiliation. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti yesterday invited leaders of Hurriyat for talks with the all-party delegation. Hurriyat is an organisation that is fighting for Kashmir's independence. Kashmir has been gripped with tension following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Kashmir freedom group shuns India's peace outreach meeting

India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday gave his approval to the use of chilli-filled grenades for crowd-control measures in the restive Kashmir valley as an alternative to pellet guns. 
 
The Indian government was being criticised for the use of pellet guns as they were causing loss of eyesight among the affected protesters.&nbsp; 
 
The decision comes just a day before a delegation comprising representatives from India&#39;s political parties visit&nbsp;Kashmir on Sunday for dialogue with various stake-holders in the state. 
 
The interior minister cleared the file for use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide (PAVA) also called Nonivamide as an alternative to the pellet guns, official sources said. 
 
They said as many as 1,000 shells will be reaching the Kashmir Valley on Sunday. During his two-day visit to Kashmir on August 24-25, Singh had said an alternative to pellet guns will be given to security forces in the coming days. Pellet guns are, however, unlikely to be banned completely but will be used in &quot;rarest of rare cases&quot;, they said. 
 
(WION with agency inputs) 
 
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The use of pelargonic acid vanillyl amide (PAVA) is an alternative to pellet guns that will now be used in the 'rarest of rare cases'

India's interior minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday gave his approval to the use of chilli-filled grenades for crowd-control measures in the restive Kashmir valley as an alternative to pellet guns. The Indian government was being criticised for the use of pellet guns as they were causing loss of eyesight among the affected protesters. The decision comes just a day before a delegation comprising representatives from India's political parties visit Kashmir on Sunday for dialogue with various stake-holders in the state. The interior minister cleared the file for use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide (PAVA) also called Nonivamide as an alternative to the pellet guns, official sources said. They said as many as 1,000 shells will be reaching the Kashmir Valley on Sunday. During his two-day visit to Kashmir on August 24-25, Singh had said an alternative to pellet guns will be given to security forces in the coming days. Pellet guns are, however, unlikely to be banned completely but will be used in "rarest of rare cases", they said. (WION with agency inputs)

India's interior minister approves chilli-filled grenades for mob control in Kashmir

After much soul-searching, the Indian government has reportedly found an alternative to the pellet guns that have left such mayhem in their wake in the state of Kashmir -- chilli-filled PAVA (Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide) grenades. The euphemistically-called &quot;pellet guns&quot; are basically shotguns, and have blinded hundreds of protesters over the last seven weeks. 
 
Kashmir has been on the boil ever since July 8 when the Indian army killed the militant separatist and South Kashmir&nbsp;Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Mass protests broke out the following morning and have continued ever since. And as many as 400,000 people attended Wani&#39;s funeral. 
 
The government&#39;s decision however has not found favour with the central reserve police force (CRPF), which has been at the forefront of dealing with the unrest in the Valley. 
 
Trying to put the humane face of the government forward, home minister Rajnath Singh had declared in Srinagar on Thursday that the Centre was keen on finding an alternative to the pellet guns. &quot;When I came here last time I said I&#39;ve set up an expert committee, which will submit its report in two months... I want to inform you that one month has passed and within three-four days expert committee will submit its report. Within a few days we will give alternative to the pellet gun,&quot; Singh had said. 
 
Sources say the committee zeroed in on the chilli-filled PAVA grenades since simulation tests of the munition have been carried out even on children as young as 12 and that they have &quot;proved to be safe&quot;. The grenades have been under trial for over a year now at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratory, in Lucknow. 
 
Sources close to the committee said it has recommended that the Tear Smoke Unit (TSU) of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Gwalior be tasked with bulk production of shells -- the chilli can also be inserted into shells -- &nbsp;&quot;immediately&quot;, with the first lot produced being no less than 50,000 rounds. 
 
PAVA is categorised as &quot;above peak&quot; on the Scoville scale, meaning it will severely irritate and paralyse humans, but temporarily. 
 
Once fired, the shells burst and temporarily stun and immobilise their targets in a &quot;more effective way&quot; than tear or pepper gas. The panel noted that PAVA is &quot;biosafe, better than chilli grenade or tear smoke shell and can also be used in combination with stun and tear shells&quot; by security forces. The committee is also understood to have recommended the supply of a few other non-lethal/ less-lethal munitions. 
 
 
Too soon, says the CRPF 
 
The CRPF however thinks the announcement has come too soon and without any proper preparation. &quot;We are not yet ready for any other alternative yet. It is one thing to espouse ban on pellet guns and another to be on the streets and face bloodthirsty mobs of hundreds. The pellet guns are the least lethal weapon we can use to handle such mobs that are ready to overrun police stations and secure camps,&quot; said a senior CRPF official. 
 
CRPF officials, who are handling the situation on the ground in the Valley, say these alternatives are going to be of little use against the fury of the crowd and are not foolproof against overzealous mobs that use their knowledge of the local geography to their advantage. &quot;Committed agitators who are ready to risk their lives will find ways to outwit the alternatives. In such a scenario we may have to turn back to the safety of regular service weapons that will increase casualty rate,&quot; said the official. 
 
From July 9 to August 11, the CRPF fired over 3,000 pellet cartridges containing 1.6 million pellets. Pellet or shotguns were first brought to Kashmir by duck-hunting Englismen. They have caused a number of fatalities since they were reintroduced in the Valley in 2010 and have blinded hundreds. 
 
(Wion, this story first appeared on the DNA website)&nbsp;

The grenades stun and render their targets immobile for a few minutes but the police say they're still not keen on giving up pellet guns

After much soul-searching, the Indian government has reportedly found an alternative to the pellet guns that have left such mayhem in their wake in the state of Kashmir -- chilli-filled PAVA (Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide) grenades. The euphemistically-called "pellet guns" are basically shotguns, and have blinded hundreds of protesters over the last seven weeks. Kashmir has been on the boil ever since July 8 when the Indian army killed the militant separatist and South Kashmir Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Mass protests broke out the following morning and have continued ever since. And as many as 400,000 people attended Wani's funeral. The government's decision however has not found favour with the central reserve police force (CRPF), which has been at the forefront of dealing with the unrest in the Valley. Trying to put the humane face of the government forward, home minister Rajnath Singh had declared in Srinagar on Thursday that the Centre was keen on finding an alternative to the pellet guns. "When I came here last time I said I've set up an expert committee, which will submit its report in two months... I want to inform you that one month has passed and within three-four days expert committee will submit its report. Within a few days we will give alternative to the pellet gun," Singh had said. Sources say the committee zeroed in on the chilli-filled PAVA grenades since simulation tests of the munition have been carried out even on children as young as 12 and that they have "proved to be safe". The grenades have been under trial for over a year now at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratory, in Lucknow. Sources close to the committee said it has recommended that the Tear Smoke Unit (TSU) of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Gwalior be tasked with bulk production of shells -- the chilli can also be inserted into shells -- "immediately", with the first lot produced being no less than 50,000 rounds. PAVA is categorised as "above peak" on the Scoville scale, meaning it will severely irritate and paralyse humans, but temporarily. Once fired, the shells burst and temporarily stun and immobilise their targets in a "more effective way" than tear or pepper gas. The panel noted that PAVA is "biosafe, better than chilli grenade or tear smoke shell and can also be used in combination with stun and tear shells" by security forces. The committee is also understood to have recommended the supply of a few other non-lethal/ less-lethal munitions. Too soon, says the CRPF The CRPF however thinks the announcement has come too soon and without any proper preparation. "We are not yet ready for any other alternative yet. It is one thing to espouse ban on pellet guns and another to be on the streets and face bloodthirsty mobs of hundreds. The pellet guns are the least lethal weapon we can use to handle such mobs that are ready to overrun police stations and secure camps," said a senior CRPF official. CRPF officials, who are handling the situation on the ground in the Valley, say these alternatives are going to be of little use against the fury of the crowd and are not foolproof against overzealous mobs that use their knowledge of the local geography to their advantage. "Committed agitators who are ready to risk their lives will find ways to outwit the alternatives. In such a scenario we may have to turn back to the safety of regular service weapons that will increase casualty rate," said the official. From July 9 to August 11, the CRPF fired over 3,000 pellet cartridges containing 1.6 million pellets. Pellet or shotguns were first brought to Kashmir by duck-hunting Englismen. They have caused a number of fatalities since they were reintroduced in the Valley in 2010 and have blinded hundreds. (Wion, this story first appeared on the DNA website)

India finds alternative to Kashmir pellet guns: Chilli-filled grenades

By Manan Kumar 
 
In a bid to sympathise with the unrest in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, union home minister Rajnath Singh is all set to visit the Valley yet again for two days. 
 
Through this visit, which comes a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s&nbsp;statement expressing &quot;deep concern and pain&quot; at the prevailing&nbsp;situation in Kashmir and an appeal for a dialogue, the Centre is hopeful of at least initiating the process of political outreach that has so far eluded it. 
 
However, Kashmir observers within the government have little hopes from the visit, which they think is ill-timed unless the home minister comes out with a significant announcement like the ban of pellet guns. 
 
Pending a big announcement, chances are that his reception may elicit&nbsp;lukewarm response, much below the expectations he generated during his earlier visit in July, said sources. The possibility of any meeting with Hurriyat leaders was is not possible after the Prime Minister&#39;s clear message of finding a permanent and lasting solution to the problem within the framework of the Constitution, they said. 
 
Before planning his sudden visit, Singh had met people from the civil society, including some Kashmiri scholars, on two consecutive days to discuss ways to tackle the vexed issue. Nearly all had suggested him to completely ban pellet guns. 
 
A couple of days ago, Singh had also said, &quot;I want to tell the people of Kashmir that we not only love the land of Kashmir but also its people.&quot; 
 
The news so far from Kashmir, however, is not so encouraging for Singh as organisations like the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Writers&#39; Association, Kashmir High Court Bar Association and Fruit Growers&#39; Association have already shown disinterest in meeting the home minister. 
 
To give the home minister&#39;s visit a semblance of achieving something, J&amp;K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti&#39;s office is working overtime to cajole and coax organisations to meet him. &quot;The response so far is feeble,&quot; said sources. 
 
Unable to spell out Singh&#39;s itinerary in Srinagar, ministry sources said that the visit is an extension of his earlier July visit when the home minister had clearly said that he would keep coming to the state. 
 
Besides meeting Mehbooba Mufti, governor N N Vohra and top officials from the civil administration, he is also expected to review the overall&nbsp;security situation in Kashmir that is showing signs of further deterioration amid resignations by state police personnel. 
 
(DNA)

Kashmir observers within the government have little hopes from the visit, which they think is ill-timed

By Manan Kumar In a bid to sympathise with the unrest in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, union home minister Rajnath Singh is all set to visit the Valley yet again for two days. Through this visit, which comes a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement expressing "deep concern and pain" at the prevailing situation in Kashmir and an appeal for a dialogue, the Centre is hopeful of at least initiating the process of political outreach that has so far eluded it. However, Kashmir observers within the government have little hopes from the visit, which they think is ill-timed unless the home minister comes out with a significant announcement like the ban of pellet guns. Pending a big announcement, chances are that his reception may elicit lukewarm response, much below the expectations he generated during his earlier visit in July, said sources. The possibility of any meeting with Hurriyat leaders was is not possible after the Prime Minister's clear message of finding a permanent and lasting solution to the problem within the framework of the Constitution, they said. Before planning his sudden visit, Singh had met people from the civil society, including some Kashmiri scholars, on two consecutive days to discuss ways to tackle the vexed issue. Nearly all had suggested him to completely ban pellet guns. A couple of days ago, Singh had also said, "I want to tell the people of Kashmir that we not only love the land of Kashmir but also its people." The news so far from Kashmir, however, is not so encouraging for Singh as organisations like the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Writers' Association, Kashmir High Court Bar Association and Fruit Growers' Association have already shown disinterest in meeting the home minister. To give the home minister's visit a semblance of achieving something, J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's office is working overtime to cajole and coax organisations to meet him. "The response so far is feeble," said sources. Unable to spell out Singh's itinerary in Srinagar, ministry sources said that the visit is an extension of his earlier July visit when the home minister had clearly said that he would keep coming to the state. Besides meeting Mehbooba Mufti, governor N N Vohra and top officials from the civil administration, he is also expected to review the overall security situation in Kashmir that is showing signs of further deterioration amid resignations by state police personnel. (DNA)

Indian home minister's two-day Kashmir visit likely to  elicit?lukewarm response

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh, who began a significant two-day visit of the Kashmir Valley today, has asserted that with civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders in Kashmir. 
 
He invited all those believe in &quot;Kashmiriyat (ethos of Kashmiri culture), Insaniyat (humanity) and Jamhooriyat (democracy)&quot; as he takes stock of the situation in the Valley hit by violence after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen millitant commander Burhan Wani on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
Singh, who is accompanied by home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, will review the situation in Kashmir where as many as 65 persons have been killed and more than 8,000 &nbsp;have been injured in clashes between protestors and security forces that broke out in the wake of Wani&#39;s killing. &nbsp;He arrived at Srinagar airport at 11.30 AM in a special plane.
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I will be staying at the Nehru Guest House. Those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat are welcome.
&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/768307110669058048">August 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<div class="twitter-block">
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Leaving New Delhi for Srinagar on a two day visit. Shall interact with civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders.
&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/768306991571750912">August 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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This is his second visit to the Kashmir Valley in a month. &nbsp;He is likely to emphasise the various development projects and employment schemes undertaken for the youth in the valley. 
 
The home minister&#39;s visit to Kashmir comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s interaction with a delegation of opposition parties led by former state chief minister Omar Abdullah in the national capital on Monday. 
 
Modi had expressed &quot;deep concern and pain&quot; over the situation there and had asked all political parties to work together to find a &quot;permanent and lasting&quot; solution to problems in Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

This is his second visit to the Valley where more than 60 people have died, 8,000 have been injured

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh, who began a significant two-day visit of the Kashmir Valley today, has asserted that with civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders in Kashmir. He invited all those believe in "Kashmiriyat (ethos of Kashmiri culture), Insaniyat (humanity) and Jamhooriyat (democracy)" as he takes stock of the situation in the Valley hit by violence after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen millitant commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Singh, who is accompanied by home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, will review the situation in Kashmir where as many as 65 persons have been killed and more than 8,000 have been injured in clashes between protestors and security forces that broke out in the wake of Wani's killing. He arrived at Srinagar airport at 11.30 AM in a special plane. I will be staying at the Nehru Guest House. Those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat are welcome. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 24, 2016 Leaving New Delhi for Srinagar on a two day visit. Shall interact with civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 24, 2016 This is his second visit to the Kashmir Valley in a month. He is likely to emphasise the various development projects and employment schemes undertaken for the youth in the valley. The home minister's visit to Kashmir comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with a delegation of opposition parties led by former state chief minister Omar Abdullah in the national capital on Monday. Modi had expressed "deep concern and pain" over the situation there and had asked all political parties to work together to find a "permanent and lasting" solution to problems in Jammu and Kashmir. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh visits Kashmir valley to take stock of unrest?

India&#39;s home minister Rajnath Singh arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Wednesday (August 03) to a flurry of protests across the country. 
 
Singh is in Islamabad to attend the one-day meeting of home ministers from countries belonging to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). 
 
The SAARC group includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. 
 
Early in the day, Syed Salahuddin, supreme commander of the militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, staged a sit-in on the road leading from Islamabad airport to the capital city, blocking the road for several hours. 
 
Mishal Malik, wife of Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik staged a token hunger strike in front of the press club in Islamabad. 
 
&quot;This is a 12-hours&#39; token hunger strike. We have been protesting here since the morning,&quot; Mishal told Reuters TV. 
 
&quot;The basic reason for the strike is that Kashmiris are being subjected to a bloodbath for the past 27/28 days. At the same time, their home minister Rajnath Singh has been instigating the Indian forces to kill more and more Kashmiri people. According to the reports we are getting, the death toll has crossed 78, approximately, and more that 5,000 people are severely injured. More than 200 people have been blinded. Our message is that the Pakistani government should lodge a strong protest that Rajnath and the Indian government should stop their atrocities, give up the occupation of Kashmir as soon as possible, and give Kashmiri people their birth right.&quot; 
 
In the port city of Karachi, activists belonging to Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), an Islamist charity linked to outlawed militant group Lashkar-e Taiba (LeT) rallied on the streets chanting anti-India slogans. 
 
&quot;The visit of the Indian home minister is not justifiable in any way, especially at a time when a massacre is taking place in Kashmir on the orders of this man. There is a continuous curfew there. Life has been made hell for children, women and the elderly. At this time, this man&#39;s coming to Pakistan will not only give a negative message to the Kashmiri nation, but also shake the confidence of the Pakistani nation. This visit will, in fact, encourage terrorism, lawlessness and extremism,&quot; Muzzamil Iqbal Hashmi, Chief of JuD Karachi told reporters. 
 
In Lahore, Jud chief Hafiz Saeed, lambasted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for hurting the feelings of the Kashmiri nation by allowing Singh to come to Pakistan. 
 
&quot;Today the Kashmiris are standing at a crossroad, and in Islamabad he (Indian home minister) is being welcomed. I want to clearly announce that after this there will not be any agreement with India, God willing. And no agreement with India will be allowed, God willing,&quot; Saeed said. 
 
Singh is the first high-level official to come to Pakistan since December 2015, when Narendra Modi landed in Lahore to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. 
 
However, Rajnath Singh along with his SAARC counterparts will call on Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif.&nbsp; 
 
Accompanied by a delegation comprising officials from his ministry and external affairs, Singh, will be underlining the need for meaningful cooperation among the South Asian countries.&nbsp; 
 
Apart from terrorism, other key issues to be discussed include liberalisation of visa, illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms and how to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat such menace. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Militant group Hizbul Mujahideen commander Syed Salahuddin staged a sit-in on the road leading from Islamabad airport to the capital city

India's home minister Rajnath Singh arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Wednesday (August 03) to a flurry of protests across the country. Singh is in Islamabad to attend the one-day meeting of home ministers from countries belonging to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The SAARC group includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Early in the day, Syed Salahuddin, supreme commander of the militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, staged a sit-in on the road leading from Islamabad airport to the capital city, blocking the road for several hours. Mishal Malik, wife of Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik staged a token hunger strike in front of the press club in Islamabad. "This is a 12-hours' token hunger strike. We have been protesting here since the morning," Mishal told Reuters TV. "The basic reason for the strike is that Kashmiris are being subjected to a bloodbath for the past 27/28 days. At the same time, their home minister Rajnath Singh has been instigating the Indian forces to kill more and more Kashmiri people. According to the reports we are getting, the death toll has crossed 78, approximately, and more that 5,000 people are severely injured. More than 200 people have been blinded. Our message is that the Pakistani government should lodge a strong protest that Rajnath and the Indian government should stop their atrocities, give up the occupation of Kashmir as soon as possible, and give Kashmiri people their birth right." In the port city of Karachi, activists belonging to Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), an Islamist charity linked to outlawed militant group Lashkar-e Taiba (LeT) rallied on the streets chanting anti-India slogans. "The visit of the Indian home minister is not justifiable in any way, especially at a time when a massacre is taking place in Kashmir on the orders of this man. There is a continuous curfew there. Life has been made hell for children, women and the elderly. At this time, this man's coming to Pakistan will not only give a negative message to the Kashmiri nation, but also shake the confidence of the Pakistani nation. This visit will, in fact, encourage terrorism, lawlessness and extremism," Muzzamil Iqbal Hashmi, Chief of JuD Karachi told reporters. In Lahore, Jud chief Hafiz Saeed, lambasted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for hurting the feelings of the Kashmiri nation by allowing Singh to come to Pakistan. "Today the Kashmiris are standing at a crossroad, and in Islamabad he (Indian home minister) is being welcomed. I want to clearly announce that after this there will not be any agreement with India, God willing. And no agreement with India will be allowed, God willing," Saeed said. Singh is the first high-level official to come to Pakistan since December 2015, when Narendra Modi landed in Lahore to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, Rajnath Singh along with his SAARC counterparts will call on Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Accompanied by a delegation comprising officials from his ministry and external affairs, Singh, will be underlining the need for meaningful cooperation among the South Asian countries. Apart from terrorism, other key issues to be discussed include liberalisation of visa, illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms and how to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat such menace. (Reuters)

Indian home minister's arrival in Pak for SAARC meet met with flurry of protests

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh will be travelling to Pakistan as per schedule, sources at the ministry of external affairs said today. This is despite Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed&#39;s warning of a countrywide protest by his outfit. 
 
Singh is scheduled to visit Pakistan on August 3, to attend a SAARC ministerial conference. 
 
Accusing Singh of being &quot;responsible for the killings of innocent Kashmiris&quot;, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has warned of a countrywide protest in Pakistan if the Indian minister travels to the country.&nbsp;Sources, however, said, &quot;The visit is on track. India attains highest priority to SAARC. The visit is strictly to abide by our SAARC commitments.&quot;&nbsp;They also said that the host country (Pakistan) is responsible for the home minister&#39;s security. 
 
The alleged mastermind of the 2008 terror attack in western city of Mumbai in a statement said, &quot;If Singh comes to Islamabad on August 3, the JuD would hold countrywide protest to tell the world that the Pakistani rulers might have compulsions to receive Kashmiris&#39; killers, but the people of Pakistan are siding with oppressed Kashmiris.&quot; 
 
&quot;I want to ask the Pakistani government will it add insult to injury to the wounds of Kashmiris by welcoming Rajnath who is responsible for the killings of innocent Kashmiris,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;It will be ironical, as on the one hand the whole Pakistani nation is protesting against the Indian atrocities in Kashmir, and on the other hand the Pakistani rulers will be garlanding Singh,&quot; said the statement . 
 
External affairs ministry has also made it clear that there will be no bilateral meeting between Singh and Pakistani leaders during his visit on August 3 and 4. 
 
India and Pakistan are witnessing growing bitterness after Pakistan and its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made provocative statements on the Kashmir situation in the wake of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani&#39;s killing on July 8. 
 
Not only did Sharif praise Wani but he also remarked that &quot;Kashmir will one day become Pakistan&quot;, a comment which evoked a sharp reaction from External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who said his dream of the state becoming a part of his country &quot;will not be realised even at the end of eternity&quot;. 
 
Further needling India, Pakistan has demanded an independent inquiry into the &quot;extrajudicial&quot; killing of Wani, and claimed that the denial of &quot;plebiscite&quot; to Kashmiri people was behind the flare-up in the Valley. 
 
(DNA)

Singh will be travelling to Pakistan as per schedule, despite JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's warnings of a countrywide protest by his outfit

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh will be travelling to Pakistan as per schedule, sources at the ministry of external affairs said today. This is despite Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's warning of a countrywide protest by his outfit. Singh is scheduled to visit Pakistan on August 3, to attend a SAARC ministerial conference. Accusing Singh of being "responsible for the killings of innocent Kashmiris", JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has warned of a countrywide protest in Pakistan if the Indian minister travels to the country. Sources, however, said, "The visit is on track. India attains highest priority to SAARC. The visit is strictly to abide by our SAARC commitments." They also said that the host country (Pakistan) is responsible for the home minister's security. The alleged mastermind of the 2008 terror attack in western city of Mumbai in a statement said, "If Singh comes to Islamabad on August 3, the JuD would hold countrywide protest to tell the world that the Pakistani rulers might have compulsions to receive Kashmiris' killers, but the people of Pakistan are siding with oppressed Kashmiris." "I want to ask the Pakistani government will it add insult to injury to the wounds of Kashmiris by welcoming Rajnath who is responsible for the killings of innocent Kashmiris," he said. "It will be ironical, as on the one hand the whole Pakistani nation is protesting against the Indian atrocities in Kashmir, and on the other hand the Pakistani rulers will be garlanding Singh," said the statement . External affairs ministry has also made it clear that there will be no bilateral meeting between Singh and Pakistani leaders during his visit on August 3 and 4. India and Pakistan are witnessing growing bitterness after Pakistan and its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made provocative statements on the Kashmir situation in the wake of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani's killing on July 8. Not only did Sharif praise Wani but he also remarked that "Kashmir will one day become Pakistan", a comment which evoked a sharp reaction from External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who said his dream of the state becoming a part of his country "will not be realised even at the end of eternity". Further needling India, Pakistan has demanded an independent inquiry into the "extrajudicial" killing of Wani, and claimed that the denial of "plebiscite" to Kashmiri people was behind the flare-up in the Valley. (DNA)

SAARC summit: 'Pakistan responsible for Indian home minister Rajnath Singh's security'

At least 17 people have been killed by heavy rains and flooding in Assam, while at least 14 people have died in Bangladesh, with millions of people also displaced, officials said on Saturday. 
 
Although rainfall had decreased as of Saturday, officials in Assam, a tea-growing and oil-rich state, added water levels across rivers were still overflowing. 
 
&quot;Overflowing rivers are flooding new areas, making things worse,&quot; said Keshab Mahanta, Assam&#39;s water resource minister. 
 
Home Minister Rajnath Singh is in Assam making an aerial survey and holding discussions with state officials about relief efforts. 
 
The home minister will be accompanied by minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju and minister for ministry of development of north eastern region Jitendra Singh and will take stock of the situation in the districts of Nagaon and Morigaon besides the Kaziranga national park. 
 
He will also be visiting Bhagatgaon camp of flood-affected people in Morigaon district, an official release said. 
 
Authorities in Assam have opened more than 800 temporary shelters and food and medicines distribution centres across the state, a senior official at the state disaster management authority said. 
 
Flooding is an annual problem during the monsoon season in South Asia, but the impact has been worsened by crumbling civic infrastructure, clogged drains and uncontrolled urban expansion. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Despite a decrease in rainfall, the water levels across rivers in Assam were still overflowing

At least 17 people have been killed by heavy rains and flooding in Assam, while at least 14 people have died in Bangladesh, with millions of people also displaced, officials said on Saturday. Although rainfall had decreased as of Saturday, officials in Assam, a tea-growing and oil-rich state, added water levels across rivers were still overflowing. "Overflowing rivers are flooding new areas, making things worse," said Keshab Mahanta, Assam's water resource minister. Home Minister Rajnath Singh is in Assam making an aerial survey and holding discussions with state officials about relief efforts. The home minister will be accompanied by minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju and minister for ministry of development of north eastern region Jitendra Singh and will take stock of the situation in the districts of Nagaon and Morigaon besides the Kaziranga national park. He will also be visiting Bhagatgaon camp of flood-affected people in Morigaon district, an official release said. Authorities in Assam have opened more than 800 temporary shelters and food and medicines distribution centres across the state, a senior official at the state disaster management authority said. Flooding is an annual problem during the monsoon season in South Asia, but the impact has been worsened by crumbling civic infrastructure, clogged drains and uncontrolled urban expansion. (Reuters)

Heavy rains kill 31 in Assam and Bangladesh, Indian home minister Rajnath Singh conducts aerial survey

Appealing to people in Kashmir to help restore normalcy, Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh today said the Indian government wants an emotional relationship with the state and not just need-based, even as he warned Pakistan not to interfere in India&#39;s internal affairs. 
 
Sending a strong message to Pakistan, Rajnath also said the neighbouring country should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir. 
 
Addressing a press conference here after winding up his two-day visit to the state after holding talks with Jammu and Kashmir state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and several delegations both in Srinagar and Anantnag, Rajnath said India will talk to whosoever needed, once peace and normalcy is restored in the state. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Want to make it clear that GoI does not only want to have a relationship based on needs with Kashmir but a emotional relationship: HM
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757178867236872192">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
&quot;As far as government of India is concerned, I want to make it clear that we don&#39;t just want need-based ties, but to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir,&quot; he said, reaching out to the people in the Valley while making a fervent appeal to them to help restore peace and normalcy in the state. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We will talk to whosoever needed once peace and normalcy is restored in the state (J&amp;K): HM Rajnath Singh <a href="https://t.co/NZYOOmQkOT">pic.twitter.com/NZYOOmQkOT</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757181186682785792">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Attacking Pakistan on its role in Kashmir, he said, &quot;its role has not been &#39;paak&#39; (pure) on Kashmir. Pakistan should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir.&quot; 
 
Singh hit out at Pakistan, which he said is itself affected by terrorism and to end it on one hand it is killing terrorists after entering the Lal Masjid, while on the other it is asking our youth in Kashmir to take to arms. 
 
&quot;This must stop,&quot; he said. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Pakistan&#39;s role isn&#39;t &#39;pak&#39; (pure) in relation to Kashmir. They need to change their behaviour: HM Rajnath Singh <a href="https://t.co/OjGsBNb83p">pic.twitter.com/OjGsBNb83p</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757182382759878656">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Pakistan is in itself a victim of terrorism, it should not encourage violence in Kashmir: HM Rajnath Singh <a href="https://t.co/hoQFMSJxlM">pic.twitter.com/hoQFMSJxlM</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757180891902930945">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Appealing to the youth to not to resort to stone-pelting, Singh said he has asked the security forces to refrain from using pellet guns as much as possible even as he regretted the loss of lives. 
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We will constitute a expert committee to find out ways to use of non lethal weapon. The committee will submit report in 2 months: HM
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757179601005281280">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces a day after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8 resulting in 45 deaths. 
 
&quot;If there are any differences or disapprovals, they can be resolved through talks mutually. Because there cannot be any other solution.&nbsp;I feel that if there is place of Kashmiriyat in democracy, it will only be of humanity,&quot; he said, adding that the people of the entire country want that Kashmir should once again become &quot;firdaus&quot; (paradise). 
 
Expressing sympathy with those injured during the ongoing unrest in the Valley, Singh appealed to the youth to desist from indulging in stonepleting. 
 
&quot;I appeal to the youth of Kashmir not to indulge in stonepelting and security forces should avoid use of pellet guns as far as possible,&quot; he said. 
 
Rajnath said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned about the situation in Kashmir and wanted the situation to improve as soon as possible. 
 
&quot;I am very concerned at the situation in Kashmir and our Prime Minister is also very concerned over it. Along with expressing regret over what happened here, I offer my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives.&nbsp;The Prime Minister spoke to me last night and discussed the situation (in Kashmir). He also wants that the situation should improve,&quot; he said. 
 
On revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, Rajnath said whatever has to be done on the issue will be done in consultation with the state governments.&nbsp;On his two-day visit, Rajanth said he met 30 delegations during which he got information and suggestions on how to restore peace and normalcy in the Valley. 
 
&quot;I also visited Anantnag and heard the people there for one hour. I appealed to people of Anantnag also to maintain calm and help in restoring peace and normalcy,&quot; he said. 
 
Replying to a question if India will hold talks with Pakistan over Kashmir, the interior minister there was no need for involvement of a third power. 
 
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We don&#39;t need third party&#39;s involvement to address the situation that prevails in J&amp;K: HM Rajnath Singh in Srinagar (J&amp;K)
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757179965091766272">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Rajnath, accompanied by Indian interior secretary and joint secretary in his ministry, took stock of the situation in the state which has been on the boil since past few days following violent protests that erupted in the aftermath of the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter. 
 
Asked about the suggestions of former Indian interior minister P Chidambaram on granting more autonomy to the state, he said, &quot;We will look into the suggestions made by Chidambaram once normalcy is restored in Kashmir&quot;. 
 
He said various delegations who met him informed about the injuries to several people due to use of pellet guns by security forces and he has assured them of treatment of the injured in AIIMS in Delhi. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I have conveyed to J&amp;K CM that if need be the injured can be sent to Delhi. Govt will make sure that they are treated at AIIMS: HM
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/757181526962479104">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script> 
 
Singh said he talked to Union Health Minister J P Nadda and asked him to appoint a nodal officer in AIIMS to ensure the treatment of all injured in Kashmir there. He said six people are already getting treatment there. 
 
The interior minister said the Indian government has also evolved a programme for providing employment opportunities to Kashmiri youth and engage them. 
 
(PTI)

Singh also 'warned' Pakistan to not interfere in India's internal matters, asked security forces to not use pellet guns

Appealing to people in Kashmir to help restore normalcy, Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh today said the Indian government wants an emotional relationship with the state and not just need-based, even as he warned Pakistan not to interfere in India's internal affairs. Sending a strong message to Pakistan, Rajnath also said the neighbouring country should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir. Addressing a press conference here after winding up his two-day visit to the state after holding talks with Jammu and Kashmir state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and several delegations both in Srinagar and Anantnag, Rajnath said India will talk to whosoever needed, once peace and normalcy is restored in the state. Want to make it clear that GoI does not only want to have a relationship based on needs with Kashmir but a emotional relationship: HM — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 "As far as government of India is concerned, I want to make it clear that we don't just want need-based ties, but to build an emotional relationship with Kashmir," he said, reaching out to the people in the Valley while making a fervent appeal to them to help restore peace and normalcy in the state. We will talk to whosoever needed once peace and normalcy is restored in the state (J&K): HM Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/NZYOOmQkOT — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Attacking Pakistan on its role in Kashmir, he said, "its role has not been 'paak' (pure) on Kashmir. Pakistan should change its attitude and approach towards Kashmir." Singh hit out at Pakistan, which he said is itself affected by terrorism and to end it on one hand it is killing terrorists after entering the Lal Masjid, while on the other it is asking our youth in Kashmir to take to arms. "This must stop," he said. Pakistan's role isn't 'pak' (pure) in relation to Kashmir. They need to change their behaviour: HM Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/OjGsBNb83p — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Pakistan is in itself a victim of terrorism, it should not encourage violence in Kashmir: HM Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/hoQFMSJxlM — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Appealing to the youth to not to resort to stone-pelting, Singh said he has asked the security forces to refrain from using pellet guns as much as possible even as he regretted the loss of lives. We will constitute a expert committee to find out ways to use of non lethal weapon. The committee will submit report in 2 months: HM — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces a day after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8 resulting in 45 deaths. "If there are any differences or disapprovals, they can be resolved through talks mutually. Because there cannot be any other solution. I feel that if there is place of Kashmiriyat in democracy, it will only be of humanity," he said, adding that the people of the entire country want that Kashmir should once again become "firdaus" (paradise). Expressing sympathy with those injured during the ongoing unrest in the Valley, Singh appealed to the youth to desist from indulging in stonepleting. "I appeal to the youth of Kashmir not to indulge in stonepelting and security forces should avoid use of pellet guns as far as possible," he said. Rajnath said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned about the situation in Kashmir and wanted the situation to improve as soon as possible. "I am very concerned at the situation in Kashmir and our Prime Minister is also very concerned over it. Along with expressing regret over what happened here, I offer my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives. The Prime Minister spoke to me last night and discussed the situation (in Kashmir). He also wants that the situation should improve," he said. On revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, Rajnath said whatever has to be done on the issue will be done in consultation with the state governments. On his two-day visit, Rajanth said he met 30 delegations during which he got information and suggestions on how to restore peace and normalcy in the Valley. "I also visited Anantnag and heard the people there for one hour. I appealed to people of Anantnag also to maintain calm and help in restoring peace and normalcy," he said. Replying to a question if India will hold talks with Pakistan over Kashmir, the interior minister there was no need for involvement of a third power. We don't need third party's involvement to address the situation that prevails in J&K: HM Rajnath Singh in Srinagar (J&K) — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Rajnath, accompanied by Indian interior secretary and joint secretary in his ministry, took stock of the situation in the state which has been on the boil since past few days following violent protests that erupted in the aftermath of the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter. Asked about the suggestions of former Indian interior minister P Chidambaram on granting more autonomy to the state, he said, "We will look into the suggestions made by Chidambaram once normalcy is restored in Kashmir". He said various delegations who met him informed about the injuries to several people due to use of pellet guns by security forces and he has assured them of treatment of the injured in AIIMS in Delhi. I have conveyed to J&K CM that if need be the injured can be sent to Delhi. Govt will make sure that they are treated at AIIMS: HM — ANI (@ANI_news) July 24, 2016 Singh said he talked to Union Health Minister J P Nadda and asked him to appoint a nodal officer in AIIMS to ensure the treatment of all injured in Kashmir there. He said six people are already getting treatment there. The interior minister said the Indian government has also evolved a programme for providing employment opportunities to Kashmiri youth and engage them. (PTI)

India wants emotional relationship with Kashmir, says interior minister Rajnath Singh

With the Valley on the boil in the wake of violent clashes between locals and security forces refusing to simmer down, Indian home minister Rajnath Singh will undertake a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir today to take stock of the situation in the northern state. 
 
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Rajnath Singh said that security forces were instructed to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with the protests in the Valley. 
 
He also said that an experts committee will review the use of pellet guns by security forces. 
 
&quot;It is not like pellet guns were not used in Kashmir in the past; they were, in fact, used in 2010 as well, and they are listed as non-lethal weapons. We will, however, form a committee of experts, which will tell us in two months the non-lethal alternatives to these guns,&quot; Rajnath said. 
 
Singh said he had spoken to chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who said she would come to Delhi in the next two to three days to hold discussions. 
 
&quot;I told her that I myself would like to go there, stay in a guest house and meet people there,&quot; he said. 
 
The Union home minister said that all political parties have tried to work for the resolution of the Kashmir problem. 
 
&quot;The Kashmir issue needs to be dealt with collectively. Everyone needs to partake in the responsibility of making the situation better,&quot; Singh said. 
 
An all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was held in Srinagar on Thursday to review the situation in the valley and to find a way to solve the violence that has left around 44 people dead and thousands injured, after protests broke out in the valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. 
 
Meanwhile in Jammu and Kashmir, the curfew and restriction remain in force across Kashmir on 14th consecutive day in view of continuous shut down call by separatists and prevailing law and order situation. 
 
Deputy commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Farooq Lone said that the curfew will continue in Srinagar. 
 
In view, of separatists&#39; call to hold a peaceful protest after Friday congregational prayers, strict restriction on movement and assembly of people will remain in force across the Valley. 
 
The police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength to maintain law and order. 
 
(ANI)&nbsp; 
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Following violent clashes, Rajnath Singh is set to take stock of the current situation in the state

With the Valley on the boil in the wake of violent clashes between locals and security forces refusing to simmer down, Indian home minister Rajnath Singh will undertake a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir today to take stock of the situation in the northern state. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Rajnath Singh said that security forces were instructed to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with the protests in the Valley. He also said that an experts committee will review the use of pellet guns by security forces. "It is not like pellet guns were not used in Kashmir in the past; they were, in fact, used in 2010 as well, and they are listed as non-lethal weapons. We will, however, form a committee of experts, which will tell us in two months the non-lethal alternatives to these guns," Rajnath said. Singh said he had spoken to chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who said she would come to Delhi in the next two to three days to hold discussions. "I told her that I myself would like to go there, stay in a guest house and meet people there," he said. The Union home minister said that all political parties have tried to work for the resolution of the Kashmir problem. "The Kashmir issue needs to be dealt with collectively. Everyone needs to partake in the responsibility of making the situation better," Singh said. An all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was held in Srinagar on Thursday to review the situation in the valley and to find a way to solve the violence that has left around 44 people dead and thousands injured, after protests broke out in the valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. Meanwhile in Jammu and Kashmir, the curfew and restriction remain in force across Kashmir on 14th consecutive day in view of continuous shut down call by separatists and prevailing law and order situation. Deputy commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Farooq Lone said that the curfew will continue in Srinagar. In view, of separatists' call to hold a peaceful protest after Friday congregational prayers, strict restriction on movement and assembly of people will remain in force across the Valley. The police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength to maintain law and order. (ANI)

Indian home minister to embark on two-day visit to Kashmir

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh today began his two-day Kashmir visit to give a healing touch to the restive Valley, with two trade bodies boycotting him. Curfew was lifted from four districts and parts of Srinagar town but remained in force in other areas as a precautionary measure. 
 
Barring stray incidents of stone-pelting, the first day of Singh&#39;s visit to the northern most state of the country passed off peacefully. 
 
Kashmir has been on a boil for several days after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8 in an encounter with security forces.&nbsp; 
 
As he took stock of the situation in the valley, Singh met BJP ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government in the state, including deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh. A group of Muslim clerics also met Singh at the high-security Nehru Guest House. A delegation of Shikarawalas and houseboat owners also called on the home minister and apprised him of their problems. 
 
A home ministry release said Singh would meet Governor N N Vohra and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti later today. Mehbooba was away meeting families of those killed in action by security forces when Singh arrived here. 
 
Trade bodies boycot home minister&#39;s visit&nbsp; 
 
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), two major representative trade bodies in the Valley, decided not to meet the home minister, saying such exercises in the past have been futile. 
 
Meanwhile, curfew was lifted from Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam and Ganderbal districts and some parts of Srinagar city in view of the improving situation in these areas, a police official said. 
 
The official, however, said restrictions on assembly of four or more people under Section 144 CrPC will continue in the areas where curfew has been lifted. He said curfew remained in force in Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pulwama and Shopian districts of the Valley and eight police station areas of the city. 
 
Singh is scheduled to hold meetings with state government officials, political leaders and others during his two-day stay. However, representatives of the two trade bodies, who were to meet him today, decided to boycott him. 
 
Meanwhile, two senior police officers have been transferred from South Kashmir range, which was among the worst affected areas hit by violence following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Wani. 
 
Senior IPS officer Ghulam Hassan Bhat has been posted as DIG South Kashmir range, replacing Nitish Kumar, a government spokesman said. 
 
He said SSP Anantnag Abdul Jabbar was also transfered and replaced by SSP Traffic (Rural) Zubair. 
 
The KEA, in an open letter to the Home Minister, said while they could understand the urgency for his visit to Kashmir for assessing the situation, &quot;we also can esily determine the futility of this exercise.&quot; 
 
In the hard-hitting letter, the trade body accused the Union ministers of showing &quot;arrogance and hostility&quot; to the people of the Valley about whose problems they had &quot;no real knowledge&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)&nbsp; 
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Barring stray incidents of stone-pelting, the first day of Rajnath Singh's visit passed off peacefully?

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh today began his two-day Kashmir visit to give a healing touch to the restive Valley, with two trade bodies boycotting him. Curfew was lifted from four districts and parts of Srinagar town but remained in force in other areas as a precautionary measure. Barring stray incidents of stone-pelting, the first day of Singh's visit to the northern most state of the country passed off peacefully. Kashmir has been on a boil for several days after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8 in an encounter with security forces. As he took stock of the situation in the valley, Singh met BJP ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government in the state, including deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh. A group of Muslim clerics also met Singh at the high-security Nehru Guest House. A delegation of Shikarawalas and houseboat owners also called on the home minister and apprised him of their problems. A home ministry release said Singh would meet Governor N N Vohra and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti later today. Mehbooba was away meeting families of those killed in action by security forces when Singh arrived here. Trade bodies boycot home minister's visit Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), two major representative trade bodies in the Valley, decided not to meet the home minister, saying such exercises in the past have been futile. Meanwhile, curfew was lifted from Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam and Ganderbal districts and some parts of Srinagar city in view of the improving situation in these areas, a police official said. The official, however, said restrictions on assembly of four or more people under Section 144 CrPC will continue in the areas where curfew has been lifted. He said curfew remained in force in Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pulwama and Shopian districts of the Valley and eight police station areas of the city. Singh is scheduled to hold meetings with state government officials, political leaders and others during his two-day stay. However, representatives of the two trade bodies, who were to meet him today, decided to boycott him. Meanwhile, two senior police officers have been transferred from South Kashmir range, which was among the worst affected areas hit by violence following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Wani. Senior IPS officer Ghulam Hassan Bhat has been posted as DIG South Kashmir range, replacing Nitish Kumar, a government spokesman said. He said SSP Anantnag Abdul Jabbar was also transfered and replaced by SSP Traffic (Rural) Zubair. The KEA, in an open letter to the Home Minister, said while they could understand the urgency for his visit to Kashmir for assessing the situation, "we also can esily determine the futility of this exercise." In the hard-hitting letter, the trade body accused the Union ministers of showing "arrogance and hostility" to the people of the Valley about whose problems they had "no real knowledge". (PTI)

Curfew lifted in parts of violence-hit Kashmir as Indian home minister begins his two-day visit?

India plans to reconsider the use of pellet guns by security forces when controlling crowds, its home minister said on Thursday, after widespread resort to the weapons caused multiple casualties and stirred public anger. 
 
Home minister Rajnath Singh told lawmakers the government would set up a panel to look for an alternative to the pellet gun in response to questions about responses to a recent surge of violence in the Kashmir region. 
 
Dr Kaisar Ahmad, principal of Government Medical College Srinagar, said that over 280 had been treated for pellet injuries since July 9 when violence broke out in Kashmir during protests sparked by the death of a separatist militant. 
 
In his talk with lawmakers, Singh said one person had been killed from pellet shots in the most recent violence in India&#39;s northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing the total number of deaths from the weapon there to seven since 2010. 
 
In addition, 53 had suffered eye injuries in the past six years, Singh said. &quot;It is a fact that people were injured by the use of non-lethal weapons,&quot; Singh told lawmakers. 
 
&quot;We will form an expert committee on this that will give its report in two months so that such incidents are not repeated in future.&quot; 
 
Amnesty International this week asked the Indian government to prohibit the use of pellet-firing shotguns during street demonstrations, saying that police should look for &quot;less harmful&quot; devices. 
 
Though meant to be a non-lethal weapon, a senior police officer said that security forces are often forced to use pellet guns at close range to protect themselves against mob attacks. 
 
Insha Malik, a 15-year-old student, was hit in her eyes by pellets when she was watching protests from the window of her house in the South Kashmiri town of Shopian. Her father, Mushtaq Ahmad, says she will never regain her eyesight again. 
 
&quot;She often asks me about her regaining her eyesight. I tell her a lie (to console her) that she will, but it will take time,&quot; he said. 
 
(Reuters)

Pellet shots caused severe injuries and one death in the recent Jammu and Kashmir violence, attracting criticism from many quarters

India plans to reconsider the use of pellet guns by security forces when controlling crowds, its home minister said on Thursday, after widespread resort to the weapons caused multiple casualties and stirred public anger. Home minister Rajnath Singh told lawmakers the government would set up a panel to look for an alternative to the pellet gun in response to questions about responses to a recent surge of violence in the Kashmir region. Dr Kaisar Ahmad, principal of Government Medical College Srinagar, said that over 280 had been treated for pellet injuries since July 9 when violence broke out in Kashmir during protests sparked by the death of a separatist militant. In his talk with lawmakers, Singh said one person had been killed from pellet shots in the most recent violence in India's northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing the total number of deaths from the weapon there to seven since 2010. In addition, 53 had suffered eye injuries in the past six years, Singh said. "It is a fact that people were injured by the use of non-lethal weapons," Singh told lawmakers. "We will form an expert committee on this that will give its report in two months so that such incidents are not repeated in future." Amnesty International this week asked the Indian government to prohibit the use of pellet-firing shotguns during street demonstrations, saying that police should look for "less harmful" devices. Though meant to be a non-lethal weapon, a senior police officer said that security forces are often forced to use pellet guns at close range to protect themselves against mob attacks. Insha Malik, a 15-year-old student, was hit in her eyes by pellets when she was watching protests from the window of her house in the South Kashmiri town of Shopian. Her father, Mushtaq Ahmad, says she will never regain her eyesight again. "She often asks me about her regaining her eyesight. I tell her a lie (to console her) that she will, but it will take time," he said. (Reuters)

India to consider alternatives to pellet gun, says home minister Rajnath Singh

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