Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 17: As there was no let up in the protests even after 10-day of violence in the wake of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s death, the Home Ministry of India has rushed 20 more companies of para-military Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from New Delhi and some other States to the Kashmir valley to keep protests under check, help in restoration of normalcy and ensure smooth pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath ji shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas.
During past few days, two Infantry battalions of Army comprising about 2000 soldiers, 15 companies of CRPF (about 1500 personnel) and nine companies of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (about 900 cops) have been dispatched to Kashmir from New Delhi and Jammu to strengthen existing position of security forces to tackle the protests and provide fool-proof security for Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Union Home Ministry, which controls the para-military forces, decided to send 2000 more para-military personnel (20 companies of CRPF) to Kashmir after obtaining reports from various security and Intelligence agencies, which suggested that more companies were required to strengthen position of para-military forces as protests were spreading to newer areas including the rural belt.
Moreover, nearly 1500 para-military personnel have been injured since the protests broke out on the evening of June 8 soon after the killing of Burhan Wani. While some of the jawans have sustained minor injuries, many others were in serious condition, which required their hospitalization, which means that they would be away from the duties for at least next couple of months. Some of the troops would also be used as Road Opening Parties (ROPs) to secure movement of the convoys in the Valley.
The new companies of para-military personnel will also replace the injured para-military personnel, they said, adding that the troops of CRPF have been sent from New Delhi and some other peaceful States and were being rushed to Srinagar by air.
Sources said the Home Ministry has made it clear to the State Government and security forces that they would get as many companies as asked for but law and order situation has to be maintained at any cost. They added that additional para-military forces being dispatched to Kashmir were being given specialized training in dealing with stone throwing youths with direction that innocent people shouldn’t be harassed.
After the trouble broke out in the Valley following Burhan’s killing, the Home Ministry had initially sent eight companies of CRPF followed by six more from New Delhi and other States. At the same time, one company of CRPF and nine of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police were sent from Jammu to different parts of Kashmir.
With 20 more companies now sent to the Valley, a total of 35 companies of CRPF and nine of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police have so far reached the Kashmir valley from New Delhi and Jammu. This was in addition to two battalions of Army, which have been sent to the Valley from Jammu.
Sources didn’t rule out deployment of more security forces in Kashmir to tackle the protests, which have left 41 persons dead and nearly 3200 injured including 1500 para-military personnel during past 10-days long protests, which continued even today.
Apart from tackling the protests, the additional security forces were also being used for securing routes of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims to provide them full protection at all the places including Highways, track and base camps etc. The yatra was progressing smoothly for the past fortnight now, sources said, adding security arrangements for the pilgrims were being regularly reviewed by the Centre.
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