Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 14: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) today said that the force is evolving a strategy to prevent attacks on it and weapon snatching of its jawans deployed in different parts of the State.
Director General CRPF Prakash Mishra while replying to a question about the killing of two CRPF men at Sangam in Anantnag district on Sunday in a militant attack, told reporters here at a special recruitment drive function that CRPF doesn’t want to suffer any losses in militant attacks which are aimed at the weapon snatching.
“We are going to change the strategy to stop weapon snatching incidents. We don’t want them to take away our weapons or that we suffer any damages in these incidents. We are working on that,” said Mishra.
The CRPF officer said the weapon-snatching has been a practice and it will take time to curb it. “It is very difficult to rule out such incidents. We are changing the Road Opening Party drill so that we are able to do our job and our jawans also remain safe. This will be done very soon”, he said.
Mishra said that such incidents of weapon snatching in attacks can’t be stopped immediately and it may take time. “Apart from that, we are working with the State police to tackle militancy. To say that such incidents can be stopped immediately is not possible. It will take time,” he said.
The CRPF officer said that the motive of such attacks in which two CRPF men were killed on Sunday in Anantnag is to snatch weapons. “Their motive is always to snatch weapons if they get an opportunity. Good weapons; everybody needs them, so they snatch”, he added.
Mishra said that the situation in the State for the CRPF is challenging and the force is improving its tactical deployment. “Where ever we are there the situation is challenging. We are here because situation is challenging and it will remain so. We are improving our tactical deployment”, he added.
On the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, Mishra said there are no inputs with them to suggest that the militants are planning to carry out attacks on yatra to be held next month. “There are other forces as well, Police and Army, and we are discussing the deployment plan for yatra and final decision will be taken”, he added.
In response to a question, the CRPF officer said it is a matter of satisfaction that youth of the State are joining the armed forces in large numbers. “We are happy that Kashmiri youth are taking part in it. Chief Minister is also keen that more youth should join the armed forces. We are giving a proposal for special recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Mishra said that the Kashmiri youth deployed in various parts of the country with CRPF are doing well. “I can tell youth that the Kashmiri youth who are in forces are doing well outside the State”, he added.
On the situation in Naxal-hit Chattisgarh, Mishra said it is challenging but improving and under control. “The situation is challenging but the problem in Chattisgarh is different from here. The situation is under control at all places. In case of Chattisgarh, there has been significant improvement in the operations and deployment. The Naxal activities have been reduced. People are now more keen on development and I am hopeful that situation will improve further in coming days,” he said.
Earlier, Mishra presided over the passing out parade of 341 recruits who were inducted as constables in the CRPF after going through the rigorous training course. Constable Nadeem Mohammad was adjudged the best all-round trainee while Arun Kumar was adjudged the best outdoor trainee. Constable Nilutpal Sharma was declared best indoor trainee while Jagpreet Singh was awarded the best shooter.
Follow our WhatsApp channel