Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Dec 23: Inspector General of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) today said that amnesty given to first-time stone pelters in Kashmir was a “large-hearted” approach of the Government.
IG CRPF Ravideep Sahi told reporters at TRC Ground in Srinagar that youth who have been granted amnesty should take benefit of this “large-hearted” approach.
“It is a good step. It will encourage people to shun the path of violence. I wish and hope that people who have been granted amnesty should channelise their energy in a positive way,” said Sahi.
Sahi praised the efforts of the security forces to wean off youth from militancy. “Off late, we have had success in this direction. Several people, including a footballer, shunned the path of violence and returned home,” he said.
When asked about killing of a woman during protests in Shopian, the IG CRPF said: “Rule of law is very important. Once the restrictions have been imposed in the area, it becomes imperative on the citizens to follow the instructions. Now, if the rule of law is not being followed and if somebody comes out and as you know that encounter is going on, the bullets are flying all over, there is a chance that it may hit somebody,” he said, adding that forces always maintain lot of restraint.
Meanwhile, Security forces today launched a massive search operation against a group of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants who have infiltrated in Keran sector of frontier district Kupwara this week.
Sources said that a group of 5-6 militants of LeT infiltrated into Keran sector of Kupwara during the night intervening December 21 and 22. The group, according to sources, started from Dudhnial launching pad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and had done reconnaissance before infiltrating.
It may be mentioned here that Dudhnial was one of the launching pads of the militants where Special Forces of Army conducted surgical strike last year in September killing several LeT militants. However, it has been active since then despite surgical strike.
Security forces have launched massive searches in the area against the group of militants. The infiltration has taken places despite snowfall in the region which has closed the mountain passes.
However, Army along the LoC is alert to foil infiltration attempts by militants as they have inputs that despite snowfall, militants may continue to infiltrate into Kashmir. Army this year intensified patrolling along the LoC and strengthened the anti-infiltration grid but despite these efforts, according to sources, around 100 infiltrators have managed to sneak in.
Army and Police have also launched massive searches in Changri, Koligam area of Lolab in district Kupwara against a group of militants who are hiding in the forest area. Sources said that 18 RR of Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in Lolab area launched the operation in the area after they got information about presence of militants in forests. However, there was no contact with the militants.
The troops also launched massive searches in Dewarmarg in Lolab against the militants. Sources said that 28 RR of army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched searches in the forest area against the militants. However, there was no contact with the militants till last reports came in.
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