The news item titled "Demoralized and Helpless J&K Cops refuse field duty - fearing attack on families, officers avoid hometown stint" published in a Delhi based newspaper, has caused deep anguish to me because a truly patriotic J&K police force charged with nationalist fervor is unfortunately described as "Demoralised and helpless" when the facts are exactly opposite. J&K Police force is decidedly one of the finest in the country and it has withstood the onslaught of time and desiccating vagaries of weather. The incident of April 1992 is given a strange twist to prove the unfortunate title. The fact of the matter is that in April 1992 on hearing that there was some visible unrest in the Police Lines at Batmaloo, Srinagar, I called DGP B.S Bedi and went to the police lines. We noted that the police personnel were raising slogans expressing their resentment over the tragic death of a CT. Muhammad. Siddiq. While we were examining the circumstances in which the tragic death of a young constable had occurred, more slogans expressing resentment over the tragedy and solidarity with the police force were heard. At this stage, I came to the balcony of the Control Room and addressed the police force and asked them to put down their arms and come for a discussion. The police force heard me with rapt attention and came up for a discussion in which they touched upon the whole gamut of issues facing the state. After a long interaction with the representatives of the police force, we gave them assurances of meeting their legitimate grievances without vindictive attitude. Holding us as "Hostage" and "48 - hour drama" is nothing but a figment of imagination. While our interactive session with the police representatives was long the atmosphere was totally cordial and the initial commotion caused by certain elements was deeply regretted by the same elements. The whole issue was settled amicably without any extraneous interference with empathic interaction of 2 to 3 hours. The peaceful resolution of Hazratbal imbroglio, Doraiswamy and many other sensitive hostage tangles, guarding many vital installations, criminal investigation and manning the police stations in the most remote areas of the state redound to the credit of the force. We had held about 100 odd militants at bay at Dacbigam in 1993 with a handful of Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel for nearly 6 hours before the reinforcement valiantly led by the then SSP Srinagar K. Rajendren arrived and I am deeply beholden to him for his bravery and solicitude for my safety. Three JKP personnel were rewarded for their bravery. Now I have no doubt that the State Police Force will continue to work in tandem with other forces and live up to our expectations.
Dr. Mahmood-ur-Rehman
Ex-Secretary to Government of India
and now Chairman J&K Finance Commission

Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
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