Rhythm of life, LS polls show degree of fear is less: DGP
Foreign terrorists, their supporters remain a challenge
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 3: A new force of 960 young local fully trained youth drawn from the border villages has been created by the Jammu and Kashmir Police exclusively for deployment on the borders to strengthen anti-infiltration and anti-terrorism grid in Jammu and Kashmir.
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The move comes close on the heels of some successful infiltration attempts by the terrorists on the International Border in Jammu and Punjab.
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Speaking to media persons here today, Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain said 960 police jawans who have recently passed out from Police Training Centres (PTCs) have been deployed in the border areas including 560 in Jammu division and rest in the Kashmir valley.
“These youths are residents of the border villages and their recruitment was area specific. They will be posted in the border areas and will not be assigned any other duties like working in the offices, PSOs or any other place. Strict instructions have already been issued to this effect,’’ he said, adding the purpose of their recruitment and deployment in the border areas is to strengthen anti-infiltration and anti-terrorism grid in the border belt.
The police chief, who was joined by ADGP Jammu Anand Jain said the JKP together with Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and Special Police Officers and the local people will make the things difficult for the adversary as the locals (being deployed on the borders) know their areas and tactics.
Security experts are of the view that as locals, the police personnel will be of great help in checking the infiltration attempts.
Asserting that degree of fear is less than what it used to be four-five years ago, Swain said it is evident from rhythm of life that we witness today be it business, schools, public facilities, transportation etc. The law and order situation is much better in Kashmir now which is evident from the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha polls.
“There are foreign terrorists who have managed to infiltrate. Enemy is finding out newer mechanism to push in terrorists. Another challenge is of few individuals who are supporting them,’’ he said and added that police is meeting all challenges very effectively.
He said the law-enforcement agencies and security forces have control and the upper hand (in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir). To maintain orderliness, the pressure is being maintained (on the terror ecosystem),” he said.
Responding to questions on the deteriorating security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Swain said, “Questions are always being asked that how can we say the security situation is better when incidents are taking place? There is fear among people. It is important to clarify here. We have a security situation in front of us. The critical aspect of the situation is debatable. Some may think it is critical, while others may say it is not.”
The DGP asserted that law and order fully prevail in Jammu and Kashmir in all spheres of life.
“In terms of the number of terrorists and local recruitment, law and order, stone-pelting — in every aspect, you will find order,” he said.
He said infiltration from across the border continues and terrorists are being pushed into Jammu and Kashmir.
“There are foreign terrorists who have managed to infiltrate. All of us in the security establishment are aware of this and acknowledge it. No one in the security establishment is shying away from it,” the DGP said.
He specified the challenges of tackling infiltration.
“As I have always said, we have a long border that is porous and consists of jungles, riverine areas, difficult terrain and topographical challenges. The enemy is finding new mechanisms to push in terrorists. Therefore, we have a challenge at hand in terms of foreign terrorists primarily,” he said.
Swain added that individuals supporting these infiltrators are also a challenge. “Some people, lured by money or other reasons, are part of this syndicate called terrorism and secessionism, supported by hostile adversaries. This is a challenge,” he said.
The DGP said both challenges — the challenge of the guns and bombs of foreign terrorists and that of a few people supporting them here — are being firmly dealt with.
“The challenge of bombs and guns is being responded to through a planned security architecture, which includes police, central paramilitary forces and the Army,” he said.
Swain said the supporters of terrorism within the region are also being dealt with under the law. “We have very able and competent investigating agencies — NIA, SIA and police teams — who investigate the crimes of these harbourers, supporters, facilitators and enemy agents,” he said.
Replying to a question on the government’s claims that all is well in Kashmir, the DGP said, “Please look at the data and the level of fear. You will see that there is order and a visible change in Kashmir’s security situation.”
He stressed that the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha polls is the biggest evidence of this. “In the past, the participation in elections was restricted due to the fear of terrorists and separatists. When this fear dwindled, the voters’ participation increased. If someone projects it as a political statement or for the purpose of building a narrative, we do not see it in that aspect,” Swain said.
Without naming anyone, he said those who talk about enemies are given such freedom by the Indian State.
“It is the glory of India and the large-heartedness of India’s democracy that it allows you to have a contrarian view, even to the extent of being against the very system and country you are living in,” he said.
Asked about how it would impact the security situation, Swain said, “From a strict law-enforcement view, as long as the law states that murder is a crime, police and law-enforcement agencies will go ahead and prove that a murder is a murder.
“So, to that extent, the responsibility of police is to discharge their duty firmly and fearlessly. That ensures safety against the disruption of peace, which has given rise to concerns in certain quarters of the society,” he said. On the current policy of dealing with the terror ecosystem, the DGP said he believes that it is working.
“We are open to discussions and debate, not only within our setup but in public discourse. We are completely apolitical in this. The question is whether the current approach is working. It is working unless someone shows evidence to the contrary. Our position in the Jammu and Kashmir Police is that we would like to protect lives,” he added.
Batting strongly for the current policy adopted by police to deal with the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, Swain said they are successful if they are saving the lives of citizens, security forces, and would-be militants in the Union Territory.
“Our position in J&K Police is that we would like to save lives. If by following a particular strategy or policy for the past three to four years, we have saved lives – we have saved the lives of citizens, security forces, and would-be militants. If we have saved the lives of youngsters from getting into these syndicate crimes, I think we are succeeding,” Swain said.
Swain, who took a dig at those criticising the current policy of forces to deal with the terror ecosystem, said, “No one can fault it. You look at it through a legal point of view or a humanitarian point of view, we have been successful.”
“If there is a connection between a narrative and an increase in the loss of lives, I would say the narrative is itself liable criminally. It is not a political statement but a legal statement. The existing law passed by lawmakers of this great country, for example, Section 18 of the UAPA, says that if a narrative or ideology is advocating violence, spreading separatism, or glorifying a particular ideology promoting the loss of lives, it would be treated as a crime. It is that which we are looking at,” he added.
He further said the police are going strictly according to the law. “We are against that aspect of the narrative. No narrative can be supported, however attractive it may be to a certain section. As long as it is pushing people, mostly the poor, into terrorism as cannon fodder, our policy and planning of our working are fully within the parameters of the law,” he said.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Police is the people’s force. Whether it is Village Defense Groups or SPOs, or our regular cops, they are part of each other and fighting unitedly. They (VDGs) get weapons from police and work in coordination with Police Stations,” the DGP said.
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