Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 5: Inspector General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Ravideep Sahi, today described the situation in South Kashmir as challenging due to rise in militancy and said that security forces have intensified their operations against them.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Sahi said that the militancy is on the rise in South Kashmir as many locals are joining the ranks. “The situation in South Kashmir is challenging. The militancy is on the rise there and many locals are joining the militants. It is a cause of concern. Keeping in view this, the intensity of operations has increased in that area”, he added.
The IG said that the operations against militants in South Kashmir are intelligence based and it will continue. “See, such kind of operations keep on happening. The RR, CRPF, J&K Police and BSF are here and all these operations keep on happening. And based on a particular situation which erupts and the security situation which occurs and based on intelligence inputs these operations happen now and will keep happening in near future as well”, he said.
On the operation that was launched in Shopian area of South Kashmir, he said that it has positive impact as troops went to dominate the area. “..yes any operation that is carried out the positive impact remains there because the troops go out to dominate the area, cordon and searches take place, that always remains successful”, he said.
The IG said that security forces operations are aimed at creating sense of security and prevent looting and killings. “To stop, which you are saying to us, from last 2-3 days a large scale cordon and search operation is underway. That’s underway to create a sense of security among people and stop lootings and killings”, he said.
Sahi said that militants keep coming to Srinagar but there are no resident militants in the city. “Inputs which are with us suggest that militants do come and go in Srinagar but we don’t have any information about their permanent bases so far but they do come and go and we have information about that”, he added.
To counter the militant attacks on the National Highway and provide security to Amaranth Yatra, he said that the coordinated security scheme has been put in place. “Concerning Amarnath Yatra, there will be coordinated security scheme of CRPF, J&K Police, Army, BSF, SSB and all of them will be involved in this and as per wherewithal available with us, we will try that the security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra, whether it is ROP, route security, shrine security and all the things, go better”, he added.
Sahi said that last year’s feedback including about installation of CCTV cameras will be taken into consideration. “We will see about installation of CCTV cameras. We will try to follow whatever feedbacks of last year which are operationally relevant (this year too)”, he said.
The IG CRPF said that they have to handle the situation about threat to local security men jointly. “It is very unfortunate that the local men of police, CRPF or Army are threatened. If someone joins force, it gives them employment and through this employment, he looks after his parents and family and focuses on the education of his children. These threats are not good and I think we all – CRPF, Army, J&K Police – will handle it”, he said.
He said that publicity based not on facts and against national interest should be banned. “Media plays an important role in everything and there is social media, print media and electronic media and effect of negative publicity is there. So, there is impact of this as well. Whosoever does publicity against nation’s interest, which is not based on facts, we think they should be banned”, he added.
Sahi said that engagement of youth through sports activities will have its impact in changing the mindset. “Exactly, we are very hopeful and we always believe the intentions are right. Everything starts with the intention and our intentions are very noble intentions that we should engage the young boys and girls into these kind of activities. I am hopeful that these kind of activities, sporting activities will have an impact on that (protests), he added.
The IG CRPF said that it is important to channelize the energy of youth in adverse situations. “When the situation is not good, it becomes more important that these kind of activities be there so that the energy of youths gets channelized. And not only chanellizing the energy even we have seen that girls and boys are very keen to play in sports and take part in sports. This is an opportunity. This one will not be able to end issue of Kashmir but this is a small effort to engage the youth. And the youth are more willing to get engaged. Only thing is they require an opportunity”, he added.
He said that the local youth are ready to channelize their energy in positive manner. “My expectations, as I said so far our interaction has been and the under 14 football tournaments which we have organized and we are organizing everywhere, keeping in view that experience we think the local youth are ready to channelize their energy in positive manner”, he said.
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