‘70-80 foreign militants in J&K, local militancy down’
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 8: Director General of Police RR Swain today said that police are fully focussed and steps are afoot to keep the ongoing peaceful and fearless atmosphere intact in Jammu and Kashmir for the upcoming Assembly polls slated later this year.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Public Darbar at Pulwama, the DGP said that when there is no fear, people would definitely come out to vote. “So, we are focussed and steps are afoot to keep the peaceful and fearless atmosphere prevailing in the UT intact for the upcoming Assembly polls,” he said
“We would love to see the high voter turnout in Lok Sabha polls become a trigger of a virtuous security cycle in J&K,” he said.
He said that law enforcing agencies have to act tough against some unscrupulous elements to ensure that the atmosphere of peace in J&K is not disturbed.
“That’s the atmosphere we want to maintain. Sometimes, we have to face brickbats as well. To ensure that the streets remain peaceful, please accept that we have to be tough against some people. Police, by definition, is law enforcement,” he added.
Swain said everyone was satisfied that the recent Lok Sabha elections were held peacefully and witnessed a high voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We all are satisfied that the elections were peaceful and the turnout was high. It is a good beginning and we would like to see this trigger a positive change by pushing forward a security cycle where everyone is free and without fear,” he added.
The DGP said that efforts to keep the youth away from gun is yielding results as it has saved many women from becoming widows and getting homes ruined.
“Our endeavour to keep the youth away from guns has borne fruit. This has saved many women from becoming widows, many families from getting ruined and many lives from going to waste,” he added.
Swain urged people not to support militancy or elsewhere face police action. “There are some handful people who try to help terrorists by providing them food and shelter. I urge them to refrain from it otherwise action under law will be taken against them,” he added.
The police chief said that the number of local militants in dropping but 70-80 foreign militants active in Jammu and Kashmir who come here to spread destruction and violence.
“…foreign terrorism is there. Some 70 to 80 foreign terrorists have come here with arms and ammunition. Recently, they tried to blow up the electricity tower that provides power supply to people,” he said.
“We are moving from resident terrorism to foreign terrorism. Resident terrorism means when local boys join the ranks. Their number has come down. Our effort has been to ensure, with the help of the community, that no local boy joins the terrorists … Due to these efforts, the number of local terrorists has dropped, resulting in lives being saved and a drop in violence,” he said.
Earlier, addressing the Public Darbar, Swain said police were acting tough against few culprits to provide relief to the majority while efforts are on to ensure the policing is based on “truth and justice.”
The police chief said that police have to be for the people and “our endeavour is to work with the people.” “At times, we have to act against the few culprits or accused just to provide relief to the majority,” he said.
He said no stone is being left unturned and discussions take place regularly among the officers to ensure policing is conducted on the basis of truth and justice.
“Sometimes, some loopholes may remain or some mistakes may take place. Mistakes committed by the police have to be corrected by the police itself,” he said.
The DGP said that administration/government keeps on changing but police remains a force that is seen everywhere in the country. “So, police is a force that always remains connected to the people,” he added.
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