Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi to visit Kashmir, to meet Governor, chief minister

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday to take stock of the situation in the Kashmir Valley.

Mehrishi is expected to call on the state's Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

He is likely to discuss the prevailing situation in the state and also hold security-related meetings with top civil, police and army officers.

The home secretary's visit comes a day after a young Kashmiri army officer, Lt. Ummer Fayaz, was killed by militants in Shopian district.

The state has experienced a fresh bout of violence in which eight people lost their lives in more than 200 incidents.

The violence has forced the Election Commission to cancel the May 25 bye-poll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.

The valley has been witness to a series of protests by students against alleged police excesses. There have also been incidents of stone pelting necessitating firm responses from the security forces.

-ANI