KL Report
Jammu
Claiming that the intensity of protests and stone pelting incidents in valley in the aftermath of hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru was far less as compared to 2010 unrest, Director General of Police Ashok Prasad Wednesday said it was a result of opening channels of communication with people was bearing fruit’.
“Our efforts of opening channels with people are bearing fruit as parents are now dissuading their children from resorting to violent means of protest like stone pelting etc. As a result of our mass contact programme fewer youth are coming out”, the DGP said Wednesday while talking to local news agency KNS.
He said the forces were exercising maximum restraint while dealing with protestors and stone pelters. “Forces have been directed to ensure use of non-lethal weapons only and they have ensured the directions are followed except one incident at Watergam”, the DGP said adding “It is our duty to ensure minimum damage. However, if people are facing problems, they should contact authorities on the helpline numbers to get assistance for getting help in such issues like procuring medicine etc.”
The DGP claimed that People of the state are favour of restoration of normal life in the valley.
He rejected reports that life across the valley has been paralyzed on account of restrictions only. “Many business establishments and shopkeepers did not come out on account of shutdown call by separatist leaders like Syed Ali Geelani despite relaxation and lifting of curfew in various areas. If life across the valley has paralysed, it is not because of the restrictions alone”, Prasad told KNS. However, he said imposition of restrictions had become inevitable in order to ensure safety of life and property apart from ensuring maintenance of peace in the valley.
The state police chief dismissed reports that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) authorities had lodged a protest with the state government for lodging on an FIR against them in the Watergam Firing incident. “The FIR has not been lodged against CRPF as no specific organisation’s name has been mentioned in the FIR”, the DGP said.
However, he said if it was established that forces used force with malafide intentions, action would be taken as per rules..
The DGP dismissed reports that the state government had called in additional battalions of paramilitary forces for dealing with the situation emerging out of hanging of Afzal Guru.
“We have 45 training companies deployed in the state in normal circumstances. However, on account of elections in north eastern states, 34 companies had been shifted outside for which we have got replacements of 10 companies of CRPF and BSF each from adjacent states”, the DGP said. He said 2500 CRPF personnel who had proceeded on leave had already reported back to their duties.
The DGP said barring minor incidents, the situation across the valley remained under control. He said minor incidents of stone pelting occurred at Bijbehara highway, Palhalan and Sopore town where according to him no one was injured.
However, the DGP expressed concern over night time incidents of stone pelting being reported from various areas in the valley. “After withdrawal of forces in the evening, some miscreants pelt stones which have been a cause of concern for people”.
