KL Report
Srinagar
Inspector General Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) V S Yadav Sunday denied allegations regarding the involvement of its personnel in any sort of ransacking incident during the prevailing situation of Kashmir.
In response to news report in which Divisional Commissioner Asgar Samoon had stated that CRPF should follow the standard operating procedures (SOP) and had appealed the people to contact administration in case of any excess by paramilitary forces, the IG told KNS they did not ransack any home or religious places.
“These are all false reports we have been following our SOP in letter and spirit, I don’t know about which (SOP) Divisional Commissioner has talked,” he said.
Yadav said about 350 CRPF personnel were injured and 130 vehicles damaged in the last few days of protests “as our men tried maximum restraint on their part.” “What more can we do?” he asked.
The IG claimed that strict instructions have been given to forces not to open fire, “till their own lives are in a serious threat.”
Responding to another report in Kulgam Yadav said, “Five of our men have been severely injured, though they could have opened the fire but instead they exhibited wisdom by restraining themselves. There are some elements who want to spoil the harmony between CRPF and Police.”
On the use of pepper gas the IG said, “We don’t use it.”
The IG refuted the allegation regarding the harassment of medical staff but was quick to add that ambulances sometimes ferry passengers which can lead to a problem.
