Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 28: The State Government has once again taken up with Government of India the demand for raising of five Indian Reserve Police (IRP) battalions in Jammu and Kashmir as a part of measure to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir Police, reduce footprints of security forces and para-military personnel and generate employment for the local youths.
The Home Department of the State Government has taken up the issue with Union Ministry of Home Affairs for sanctioning five IRP battalions at the earliest, an issue that has been hanging fire for the past quite sometime after it was first raised by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Incharge Home Ministry in J&K with the Union Home Minister.
“The Home Ministry has assured us that the issue was under active consideration of the Union Government. We are now confident of an early nod from the Government of India on raising five new IRP battalions for the State,” official sources told the Excelsior.
They said the process for raising the battalions would start as soon as a green signal is received from the Union Government.
The State Government had taken up the matter for raising of five IRP battalions with the Centre with full funding from the Union Government on the ground that the new battalions would replace para-military and security forces for tactful handling of law and order situation in the State especially in the Kashmir Valley.
“The new battalions would reduce foot prints of security and para-military forces, supplement the role of para-military forces, generate about 5000 jobs for the local youths and help in tackling the rioters in case of trouble effectively,” sources said.
They added that entire expenditure on raising the battalions including salary of the fresh recruits had to be born by the Government of India for a specific period. The new IRP battalions would also compensate the shortage the State police force was facing.
Authorities had to call para-military forces, or in extreme difficult circumstances, the Army to maintain law and order situation due to shortage of police personnel. Recently Army had to be called and kept stand by in almost entire Jammu region in the aftermath of Kishtwar violence.
“Raising of five new battalions could go a long way in maintenance of law and order situation on its own, at least in small incidents of trouble, where the police had to call para-military CRPF immediately,” sources said.
Worthwhile to mention here that the State Government had mooted the proposal for raising five more IRP battalions with the Union Home Ministry more than a year ago. The MHA had assured the State that it would positively consider the proposal. As the proposal didn’t mature, the Government has once again taken it up with the Union Home Ministry and was confident that it would mature soon notwithstanding the financial constraints faced by the Union of India.
“The Government of India wouldn’t allow the financial constraints to come between the sanctioning of five new battalions, which would set the pace for strengthening of police force,” sources said and expressed hope that the State proposal would soon see the light of the day.
It may be mentioned that the State police has been facing shortage of manpower for the past quite time despite raising some battalions on its own. The Government has been stressing for raising of new battalions to overcome this shortage also apart from other necessities.
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