KL Report
Zewan
October 21
While disagreeing with the statement of union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday emphasized that the situation was conducive for phased withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir. He was talking to reporters after presiding over the Police Martyrs’ Day function at Zewan in the outskirts of the city.
Shinde in his recent visit said that there is no need to take any sort of risk by removing AFSPA immediately, “I know peace has returned in Jammu and Kashmir with the consistent efforts of people. But it does not mean that we can take risk and remove AFSPA immediately, “ Shinde told media Persons in Srinagar.
Omar reiterated that he would continue to pursue the ‘mission’ and said although the army has publicly expressed its reservations about the revocation of the AFSPA in the state, he would continue his efforts for the withdrawal of the act in phases.
“It is a no secret that army has very publicly expressed its reservation on the issue. As far as I am concerned, it is a mission worth pursuing and I am going to pursue this objective,” he said. Omar said all the indicators of the situation in the state pointed that the time had come for phased withdrawal of the controversial act.
“I believe we are comfortably placed for the phase-wise removal of the AFSPA. Militancy is at an all time low, casualties are at an all time low,” he said.
While highlighting the sacrifices of police martyrs on police martyrs commemoration, Omar said, J&K Police has played an important role in the process of restoration of peace and tranquility in the State and sacrifices in this regard have yielded noteworthy result. The Chief Minister laid flower wreath at the martyrs’ memorial and paid tributes to them.
In the year 2011, a total number of ten cops of J&K Police and eight CRPF men were killed in different incidents across the state of J&K. And since 1990, a total number of 918 cops, 470 SPOs (special police officers) and 131 VDCs (village defense committees) have been killed so far.
Omar said J&K Police force has to undertake two different duties of maintenance of law and order and combating militancy simultaneously. “The two are quite different to each other and each requires separate specialized training. They have to keep a gun in one hand and a stick in the other to deal with different situations. This is a peculiar phenomenon in the State”, he said adding that despite many difficulties and challenges Jammu and Kashmir Police has proven its courage and has earned the status of one of the best forces in the country.
While crediting the duties of police official, Omar said that State is coming out of darkness of violence and disturbance into the light of peace and development. However, he added that some people are frustrated to see this improvement and are bent upon creating disturbance, tension and snatch sense of security from people.
“They try to use both the gun and the voice to develop fear in the minds of people and drag the State back into the darkness from which it is coming out steadily. They want to snatch the sense of security from people, mar their normal life activities and disturb peace for their selfish ends”, he maintained and said that the government with the help of people would not allow this to happen.
Omar also praised police department for maintaining law and order which resulted in the free flow and increased number of visitors in Valley. “The cooperation between police and the people have resulted into great improvement in the situation”, he said adding that more than 10 lakh visitors and over 5 lakh Amarnath yatries have visited the State this year generating vast ranging economic activities for people and rejuvenating tourism sector.
Paying rich tributes to police martyrs, Omar announced enhancement of ex-gratia assistance for next kin of police martyrs including the increase in uniform and kit maintenance allowance and two sets of uniforms for traffic police annually. Omar Abdullah said that the proposals put up by the Police Department in this regard have been approved and orders are following.
The Chief Minister also paid tributes to police martyrs who have given their lives while performing their stupendous duties elsewhere in the country and also showed solidarity with their families.
Ashok Prasad, Director General Police, said that over Rs. 75.50 lakh have been provided to these families as assistance during last year besides ex-gratia relief worth Rs. 1.50 crore to next of kins of martyrs. He said Rs. 12 lakhs have been provided in the shape of scholarship to 440 children of martyrs besides providing employment to over 780. He said the martyrs’ daughters are being provided Rs. 50,000 for bearing expenses of marriage. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his keen interest in the welfare of families of police martyrs and strengthening of Jammu and Kashmir Police force.
