Srinagar: In view of the recent attacks on armed forces in the Kashmir valley, the Ministry of Home affairs (MHA) has asked all the agencies to remain vigilant while performing their duties.
The MHA did so, following the spurt in militant activities and intelligence inputs that militant organizations might carry out attacks.
Police sources said, “We are monitoring the situation. Police and other security forces in the Valley, particularly in Srinagar are maintaining ‘extra vigil’. We are taking precaution. The security has been geared up so that such incidents do not take place.”
Witnesses also said that Police and CRPF men were seen carrying out frisking of vehicles, particularly LMVs in most parts of Srinagar on Tuesday. They were also checking the documents of motor bikes. Politicians including ministers and legislators have also been asked to remain extra-cautious and use bullet proof vehicles while moving around.
“The cops need to remain vigilant in future to thwart the designs of subversive elements as they would attempt to create unrest in the State. We have to remain abreast with the changing scenario and adopt new methods of policing to counter the challenges,” the MHA has told the agencies.
Union Home minster Rajnath Singh has reportedly sought reports from the top officials about the status of law and order and over all security arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, sources told news agency KNS that the police forces have been asked to wear bulletproof jackets when on duty.
Two policemen were killed in different attacks in Kashmir last week. Constable Kultar Singh was killed outside the historic Chrar-e-Sharif shrine in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, while as constable Farooq Ahmed Yatoo was killed when unidentified gunmen fired on him in Soura locality of Srinagar. Yatoo, was posted as a guard at the residence of separatist leader Fazal Haq Qureshi who had survived an attempt on his life in 2009.
“Though the police department has issued bulletproof jackets to Jawans, but it has been observed that many of them don’t bother to wear them. Now directions have been passed about the importance of wearing bullet-proof jackets,” one of the top police officials in police department wishing anonymity said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the police chief had recently said that over 18,000 bullet-proof jackets and 550 vehicles were purchased during the year 2017. “As many as 18,100 bullet-proof jackets and 550 different vehicles, which also include bullet-proof vehicles, have been purchased by the police department during the year 2017 for the safe and secure mobility of officers and Jawans in the state”, SP Vaid had said.
According to police data, more than 26 cops were killed in the attacks in Kashmir last year.
In order to “modernize and enhance the capicity building of the Jammu and Kashmir police for meeting the various challenges to internal security in the form of militancy”, the government has said that Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India from the year 2000- 2001 notified the “Modernization of state police forces scheme” with the objectives of, intra- alia, training and fully equipping the police Forces with the latest weaponry, improved housing facilities, safe and secured police stations and to modernize police communication.
(With inputs from KNS)
