Srinagar, Sep 13 (IANS) The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet Monday condemned the reported desecration of the Quran in the US and asked the people not to take the law into their hands during protests.
The state cabinet met here Monday after widespread violence triggered by reports of the desecration led to 16 deaths across the Kashmir Valley in retaliatory firing by the security forces.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took stock of the breakdown in law and order in different parts of the state.
‘The cabinet was unanimous in condemning the alleged acts of desecration of the holy Quran, as reported by certain sections of the international media. The cabinet also expressed its complete understanding of the genuinely hurt sentiments of the people on this account,’ an official press release said here.
The cabinet made a fervent appeal to the people against taking the law into their hands while staging protests.
‘That results only in an avoidable loss of life and property,’ the statement said.
The toll in violence in the Valley since June 11 has now risen to 86.
Significantly, Monday’s massive protests initially started after an Iranian television news channel reported the alleged desecration of the Quran in the US, but the mood quickly shifted as protestors shouted slogans in favour of independence and against India.
