Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 19: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved long pending demand of Jammu and Kashmir Government for raising five new battalions of Indian Reserve Police (IRP), which would help in recruitment of 5500 youths of the State into the police. The MHA would bear 75 per cent expenditure of the raising of battalions while rest of 25 per cent expenses will be borne by the State Government.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has given nod for total of 17 new IRP battalions and five of them would be raised in militancy-infested Jammu and Kashmir.
“The new battalions would come up over a period of two years,” sources said, adding that the MHA has given nod to Jammu and Kashmir Government to complete formalities for approval of the battalions and simultaneously go ahead with the recruitment process.
They said the raising of five new IRP battalions would need Rs 305 crore expenditure and the Centre has agreed to bear 75 per cent cost of it i.e. Rs 226 crores worth expenditure would be borne by the Government of India and Rs 79 crores by the J&K Government.
Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra told the Excelsior that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was pushing hard for raising of five new IRP battalions for Jammu and Kashmir and the MHA has given nod to the proposal.
“We will see the sanction order and terms and conditions before starting the recruitment,” Rajendra said, adding the new battalions would further boost the morale of Jammu and Kashmir Police, which was already very high, in tackling militancy and law and order problems.
The DGP said the recruitment will be open to all.
“The same ratio of 75:25 would be followed in salary component of the IRP battalions. The Centre would reimburse 75 per cent salary component of newly raised battalions under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE),” sources said but added that the MHA budget would clear all aspects pertaining to raising of new battalions.
As a single battalion has 1100 police personnel, a total of 5500 youths would get recruited in the Police Department with the raising of five new battalions.
Few days back, Director General of Police had constituted Police Recruitment Board in Jammu and Kashmir for recruitment of Sub Inspectors and police constables. The Board was headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Lalat Indu Mohanty and comprised Deepak Kumar, IGP Armed Kashmir, Surinder Gupta, DIG Udhampur-Reasi range, Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba, DIG Director SSG, Ranjit Kanwar, SSP and Principal PTTI Vijaypur, Daleep Kumar, SSP and Commandant IRP 19th battalion, Mohammad Aftab Mir, Additional SP Crime Kashmir, Stenzin Losar, SP and Deputy Commandant IRP 6th battalion and Sanjay Parihar, DySP DAR Kishtwar.
Sources said the MHA has asked the State Government to give preference to youths of militancy prone areas in the recruitment.
Sources said rest of the 12 battalions have been approved for Naxal infested States.
It has been proposed that these battalions will be raised by recruiting local youths. In case of Naxal-hit States, 75 per cent vacancies will be filled up by youths from the 27 worst-affected districts.
Personnel of India Reserve Battalion are normally deployed in their respective States but they can be deployed in other states too if there is a requirement.
At present, there are 144 India Reserve Battalions in various States. In addition, the Centre has recently approved raising eight additional IR Battalions — four each for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
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