The state of Jammu and Kashmir continued to be on the boil in the aftermath of the killing of self-styled Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, and the protests that followed it. As security forces and protesters faced off in some regions of J&K, the death toll from the clashes rose on Sunday.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has appealed for peace in the state. However, a mob has reportedly pushed a police vehicle into the Jhelum river, killing a policeman in the process.
Follow live updates about the situation in the Valley here:
5:35 p.m.: The toll in the protests following Burhan Wani's death has risen to 18. This apparently includes the death of the policeman in the Anantnag district in an incident in which a police vehicle was pushed into the Jhelum river.
4:15 p.m.: The aforementioned Cabinet meeting, chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, took place in Srinagar, with the authorities briefed on the situation in the state. The government is said to be looking into instances where extensive force has been used, and has also appealed for peace in the state.
2:30 p.m.: People have reportedly pushed a police vehicle into the Jhelum river in the Anantnag district, an action that has resulted in the death of a policeman.
1:30 p.m.: That ray of light is here. ANI said in a tweet that Home Ministry sources have said the Amarnath Yatra has resumed.
1 p.m.: There seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel for pilgrims, with the Minister of State at the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh saying: "I am sure Amarnath Yatra will resume very soon, let security agencies take the final call."
12:30 p.m.: Speaking on the unrest in Kashmir, Union minister Venkaiah Naidu said: "Terrorism and violence is not acceptable at all in whatever form, whoever does it." He also said: "Really surprised that some people are trying to support those so-called protesters who are sympathising with a terrorist."
He also asked: "He is a Hizbul Mujahideen commander. How can any Indian have sympathy for such people?"
12 p.m.: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is expected to chair a meeting in Srinagar later in the day.
11:30 a.m.: Rajnath singh has chaired a high-level meeting at his residence on the law and arder situation in J&K. It was attended by the Home Secretary, the Joint Secretary of the Kashmir division, the Intelligence Bureau chief and senior Home Ministry officials.
11 a.m.: Current reports say the toll from the unrest and violence has risen to 15, even as National Conference leader Omar Abdullah is being trolled on Twitter with the hashtag #OmarRuinsKashmir for his statements following the death of Burhan Wani and the protests that came after that.
He had said in a tweet: "Aftr many yrs I hear slogans for "Azadi" resonate from the mosque in my uptown Srinagar locality. Kashmir's disaffected got a new icon y'day [sic]."
The state Opposition leader had gone on to add: "Mark my words - Burhan's ability to recruit in to militancy from the grave will far outstrip anything he could have done on social media. [sic]"
10:30 a.m.: The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended for the second day in a row as unrest continued in J&K. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said he will not celebrate his birthday in light of the deaths in the state.
10 a.m.: Curfew has been imposed in the Kulgam, Anantnag, Tral and Kokernag areas, besides seven police stations in Srinagar, as the death toll in the protests rose to 12.
