Jammu Tawi, July 23 (KIP) : Shifting of DIG, south Kashmir, and SSP Anantnag
at a crucial junction besides seeking apology from protesters by a
police official in Bijebehara are feared to cause demoralization among the police.
In case the Government wanted two police officers in south
Kashmir it could have done so after peace returned to Kashmir.
Shifting of senior police officers at this stage may lend
encouragement to protesters who may indulge in violence.
Seeking apology from protesters by a police official and his
family members reminds one of 1989-1990 era when political leaders
would seek apology from militants either for being workers of some
mainstream party or for being informers. They announced resignation
from the parties they belonged to. This led to bigger crisis.
Already the security forces feel demoralized after they were
criticized for using excessive force against the protesters. Senior
functionaries of the CRPF and the BSF are of the opinion that their
men opened fire when the mob tried to attack them, their convoys and
pickets. They said that they were compelled to open fire after tear
gassing failed to quell violence.
They said that protesters were some violent that they injured
more than 500 security personnel including over 300 policemen who were
being treated in hospitals for their wounds. These officers suspect
that some security personnel received bullet wounds which some
militants would have sneaked into the ranks of protesters and opened
fire on the security forces.
One of the senior functionaries said that for the last over
12 days “our men” are being blamed for using excessive force against
the protesters. Such criticism is bound to demoralize forces when the
situation demanded that the security forces should be given a morale
boost so that they could tackle the situation properly.(KIP)
