Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 16: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today called upon Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) especially para-military CRPF to avoid casualties of their own and civilians while dealing with militants and current unrest in the Kashmir valley, where five civilians were killed during the protests today while a Commanding Officer, Pramod Kumar was killed yesterday in gunbattle with militants.
This and other directions were passed by Rajnath Singh at a high level security review meeting on “deterioration situation” in Kashmir, which was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and top officials of the Home Ministry and Intelligence agencies. This was the second high level security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir by the Home Minister during past three days. A similar review meeting was chaired by him on Sunday ahead of the Independence Day.
Highly placed sources said that Rajnath Singh has issued directions to all CAPFs, mainly the CRPF, which was dealing with the protests in the Kashmir valley for the past 39 days now, to avoid civilian casualties and exercise restraint. He asked the CRPF to open firing only in “rarest of rare circumstances” so that there were no civilian casualties-fatal or non-fatal.
“A direction has been given to the CRPF to avoid confrontation with the protesters, who have been taking to streets at various places in the Valley for past 39 days now after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander Burhan Ahmad Wani,” sources said, adding the Home Ministry has noted with concern the sudden spurt in the violence today in which five civilians were killed and many others were left injured.
However, according to sources, the CRPF and other security agencies have been asked not to allow flare up in the violence and keep strict vigil on the protesters following further Intelligence inputs that the militants could mix up in the crowd to target security forces and their installations.
More than 66 civilians have so far been killed in firing on the protesters since trouble began in the Valley on July 8. Over 6000 persons including large number of para-military and police personnel have been injured in the clashes with protesters.
Sources said the Home Ministry has issued fresh set of guidelines for its all CAPFs operating in the Kashmir Valley to be adopted during encounters with militants and dealing protesters. The MHA has reiterated that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) must be adhered at all costs, they added.
According to sources, the Home Ministry was concerned about the loss of the life of Commanding Officer Pramod Kumar at Nowhatta, Srinagar in an encounter with the militants yesterday and lauded his courage and bravery in leading from the front against the militants.
Sources said NSA Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma, RAW chief and MHA officials, Incharge Jammu and Kashmir desk, gave extensive briefing to Rajnath Singh on situation in Jammu and Kashmir including morning clashes with protesters in Budgam and Anantnag.
According to sources, the Home Minister also reviewed arrangements for Shri Amarnath Ji and Budha Amarnath Ji pilgrims as both the yatras have entered their last leg and will conclude on August 18 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The Home Ministry was satisfied with successful progress of Shri Amarnath Ji yatra and lauded all security forces, police, Intelligence agencies and civil administration, who were associated with annual 48-day long Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage.
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