One of the top officials of the MHA wished anonymity told KNS that, the senior officers of different security agencies were asked to avoid civilian killings and carry out anti-militancy operations without any collateral damage.
He said that Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also asked the heads of various security agencies to “deal sternly” with militants. “We need to deal with the militants strictly but there should be no civilian causalities at the encounter sites. A close synergy between forces is a must for ensuring smooth anti-militancy operations,” the Home Minister, according to sources, has said while discussing the fresh situation of law and order in the state.
Sources said that Rajnath Singh has also instructed the CRPF and BSF to explore the possibility of conducting special recruitment drives in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The MHA is closely monitoring the law and order situation of Jammu and Kashmir. “MHA has directed the security forces not to give any chance to militants to take advantage of the situation when crowds rush to encounter sites to help them to escape,” the MHA official maintained.
Meanwhile sources said that army has also asked police “don’t let the crowds” to come closer to encounter sites during gun battles with militants to avoid civilian casualties as they (Army) does not carrying mob control weapons.
“Our job is not to deal with the crowd since we are not carrying non-lethal weapons. It is the police and para-military forces who are carrying weapons to disperse the mob,” an Army officer said, wishing not to be quoted by name, as he was not authorized to talk to the media.
Meanwhile a senior police official told KNS that the police have already issued advisory, asking people to stay away from encounter sites. “It is for the safety of the people not to create obstructions’ in anti-militancy operations,” he said.
Since February 2016, the police had cautioned people many times through an advisory, asking them to stay away from the encounter sites to ensure “anti-militancy operation and no civil causality”. Despite that people have been rushing to encounter sites in a bid to help militants to escape.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had said that people creating hurdles during anti-militancy operations and displaying flags of Pakistan and ISIS in Jammu and Kashmir will be dealt as “anti-nationals and will face harsh actions”. He had said those supporting militant activities are being given an opportunity but if they continue with their acts then forces will come down hard on them. (KNS)