Is J&K govt helpless before CRPF?

‘UHQ meeting postponed’

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 13: Has the state government failed to rein in paramilitary CRPF men in conflict-ridden valley of Kashmir? The issue again came to the fore after a New Delhi-based news channel reported that chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had canceled the unified headquarters meeting, scheduled to be held this evening, in protest against the latest killings.

State information department, however, was quick to assert that the unified headquarters meeting was postponed owing to “engagement of the senior police and paramilitary officers in the law and order duties in the field”. The meeting, according to the official handout, would be held tomorrow.

Four more civilian were killed in north Kashmir today in alleged CRPF firing. Interestingly, state police, in its daily bulletin, defended the killings.

“Four persons lost their lives two at Bomia in Sopore where security force camp was attacked by a huge mob. One person lost his life in Trehgam, and one in Pattan,” the bulletin read.

Paramilitary CRPF men have been accused of unleashing a reign of terror in the valley. The state government has not only failed to rein them in, but has also failed to take an unflinching stance against the central forces on the issue of civilian killings. The grief-stricken valley of Kashmir has been reeling under curfews, shutdowns, and violent protests. So far 55 civilians have been killed in the last two months, mainly in CRPF action.

When state law minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar, had in June this year accused CRPF men of failing to observe restraint, he was snubbed by CRPF top brass, and Indian home secretary, GK Pillai.

Significantly, presiding over a meeting of ministers and senior civil and police officers at his Gupkar residence on June 26, the chief minister had asked senior police officers to strictly follow standard operating procedures (SOP), and exercise utmost restraint while dealing with the protesters.

Maintaining that the government would not tolerate any human rights violations, Omar had said, “Killing of innocents will not be tolerated in any case".

However there has been no let up in the civilian killings in the valley. Moreover, according to political analysts, the decision for sending more troops only added more fuel to the raging fire.

The decision for reinforcement was condemned by all hues of politicians of all hues. Even National Conference’s coalition partner, Congress, castigated the move, saying that deploying more troops would not help in improving the situation in Kashmir.

The beleaguered chief minister has been criticized by the state Congress unit and some of his own party men for failing to control the situation.

Pertinently, Prime Minister’s all-party meet on Kashmir failed to break any ice. PM’s decision to consider autonomy proposal has not find any takers in Kashmir. Mainstream leaders, separatist, BJP, Shiv Sena, VHP have slammed PM’s remarks on autonomy.

Meanwhile, police today appealed to parents of youth to cooperate with the men in uniform.

“The public at large and parents of the youth in particular are requested to cooperate with the police in maintaining peace and order in their vicinities,” the statement added.