1000 CRPF men injured: Srivastav

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 14:  Expressing the hope that normalcy will be restored in the Kashmir valley soon, a senior officer of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said that all the field commanders have strict instructions to exercise restraint while dealing with law and order situation.
It is because of the restraint exercised by CRPF that about 1,000 personnel of the force were injured in stone pelting and other attacks across the Kashmir valley since Saturday, Additional Director General (ADG) for J&K S N Srivastav told reporters on the sideline of passing out parade here today.
He said CRPF personnel deployed for law and order in the Kashmir valley are working with the State police. ”Our deployment is decided by the State police,” he said and expressed the hope that situation will soon normalise.
On the killing of 36 people and injuries to 1,500 people, about 100 of them with pellets, Mr Srivastav said almost there is daily briefing and security forces are being directed to exercise restraint while dealing with demonstrators.
”We never use lethal weapons,” he said, adding that it is because of maximum restraint about 1,000 CRPF personnel have suffered injuries during all days.
”Our focus is on restoration of normalcy in the  Valley, he said when asked if recent grenade attack in Nowhatta area in which some CRPF personnel were injured was part of the law and order or militancy.
He said, ”We are working hard with the State police to ensure that normalcy is back in the valley. We appeal to people to help restoration of early normalcy in the Valley which is necessary for overall development and better education for our children,” he said.
When asked about the looting of weapons from police station during the recent violence, Mr Srivastav said a police officer can better answer to this question.