CM not worried about US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

Fayaz Bukhari

SRINAGAR, Feb 24:  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that he is not worried about the impact of US troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan but maintained that 2014 would be full of challenges for security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This year will be full of challenges but I am not among those who are worried. I know there are some people who are scared about 2014 in view of the upcoming events in Afghanistan as they are of the view that it will have a direct impact on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” the Chief Minister said in his address at a police passing-out parade in Baramulla, North Kashmir this morning.
Omar said that security forces over the years played a major role in normalizing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. “If I think that whatever happens in Afghanistan will have an impact on Jammu and Kashmir, it means what we have achieved till now has nothing to do with us. Does it mean the deployment of brave soldiers and officers on the Line of Control to stop infiltration and counter-insurgency grid and the work done by police and intelligence agencies on the ground have not yielded positive results? It will be wrong to say that,” he said.
Chief Minister said that security forces controlled infiltration along the LoC and border and conducted successful operations in the hinter land to control the militancy in the State. “If today after 25 years the situation has improved, it is because we have successfully controlled infiltration along the LoC and border. It is also the result of an effective counter insurgency grid that we have been able to suppress militant activities by targeting their leadership”, he added.
Omar said lauded the role of police and security forces in the improvement of situation in the State and said people of the State were desirous of peace and wanted to get rid of the gun.
On a question about revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Chief Minister said that he would take up the issue again with the Centre at the end of this year as some people have expressed apprehensions about 2014.
“Some people raised apprehensions first in 2011 and now 2014. At the end of this year I will certainty again raise this issue in New Delhi. Talks are going on and I still believe that there are certain areas in the State where from AFSPA can be revoked and the process should begin”, Omar hoped.
While replying to a question about the closure of the Pathribal encounter case by Army, Omar said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had assured him that he would take up the issue with the Defence Ministry.
“The Prime Minister has assured me in Jammu that he will take up the issue of Pathribal case with the Defence Ministry and will not allow this case to be buried. It is up to the Prime Minister now how much he will take the issue forward, but he is on it”, Chief Minister said.
Omar told the policemen that human rights violations are unacceptable and asked them to use force but not misbehave with people. “We will never tolerate human rights violations and you should never violate it. I am reiterating it that people will tolerate your excesses during your duty. If people are doing anything wrong and you will use force against them they will bear it. But if you misbehave with public and will mistreat women, then it will be impossible for you to get their respect. During my meeting with police officials I had told them that during performing their duties people will bear excesses but not tolerate your misbehavior. So wherever you are deployed, please don’t misbehave with people.  If you have to use force you use it by this you will get respect and cooperation from people”, he added.
The Chief Minister hoped that the Police and security forces would make holding of ensuing Parliament and State Assembly elections smooth and safe as they did in 2008 elections.
“You have to undergo two tests of ensuring safe and secure elections during the current year and I am confident that you will render stupendous service in this regard as has been your tradition”, Omar told police.
The Chief Minister said that police-people close liaison in maintaining normalcy and helping create peaceful conditions for economic welfare, employment generation and holistic development of the State is imperative.
Omar said the friendly approach by the police towards civilian and helping them in the hour of need would propagate and inculcate the dignity and love for personnel in the hearts of general people.
Chief Minister asked the police to always exhibit human face while dealing with challenges on the security and law and order maintenance fronts. “You have to deal with different situations including militancy related incidents. You should always render your service keeping in mind the safety and security of innocent civilian”, he said.

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