PM expresses 'unhappiness' over media coverage of Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to have expressed his 'unhappiness' over the media coverage on violent protests in Kashmir Valley following killing of Burhan Wani saying the Hizbul Mujahideen militant has been portrayed as a "hero".

This was conveyed by the prime minister at the high-level meeting he convened this morning to review the situation arising in Jammu and Kashmir after Wani's killing in an encounter, sources privy to the meeting said.

In the meeting, attended by top Union Ministers and officials, the prime minister was given a detailed briefing about Wani, the encounter, subsequent protests and drowning of a policeman.

Modi was believed to have expressed 'unhappiness' over the media coverage of Kashmir situation saying a militant, who was involved in terror activities and was working for disintegrating the country, has been portrayed as "hero" giving more traction to his followers to whip up frenzy, sources said.

The prime minister has also cited over a dozen cases registered against Wani, most of which were serious in nature under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

The meeting also reviewed the Rs 80,000 crore financial package announced by the National Democratic Alliance government for Jammu and Kashmir and its implementation.

In the meeting, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar briefed the prime minister on Pakistan's response to Wani's death, including the statement issued by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, statement by their Foreign Office and summoning of Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale by Foreign Office in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, sources said, the home ministry was worried over the situation in Kashmir Valley in the next two days.

July 13 is commemorated as "martyrs day" in Kashmir and Friday is the 'jumme ki namaz'.

Intelligence agencies have reported that Pakistan-supported groups have been trying to incite violence in the next two days, sources said.