PC endorses CM statements
Even as ruling Congress opted to tread a middle path by asking all the stakeholders to “exercise maximum restraints” in the wake protest and firing by security forces in the Kashmir valley, the government on Tuesday claimed that there are reliable reports to suggest that anti-national elements are trying to exploit the situation in the troubled state.
Going a step further, sources in the Central intelligence agencies believed that a section of protesters and stone pelters are linked with the Over Ground Workers (OGW) of some terror outfits, which are working at the behest of directions from Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). Expressing the party’s views on the violence, AICC spokesperson Manish Tiwari said, “In the Kashmir Valley, there is a need for the security forces to be extra sensitive to ensure there is no collateral damage.” He, however, pointed out that that the forces operated in an unfriendly situation would also have to be acknowledged.
“There are elements, who do not want normalisation of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that if any youngster gets killed in the firing by the security forces that only leads to the alienation of the affected people.
Meanwhile, raising concern over anti-national elements exploiting the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir, home minister P. Chidambaram backed the Omar Abdullah government in the state in its efforts to control the situation. Pointing towards elements in Pakistan trying to foment civil unrest in the Valley, a senior home ministry official said that elements in Pakistan want “to keep the pot boiling in Kashmir”.
Mr Chidambaram said, “There are reliable reports that anti-national elements are trying to exploit the situation. Some militants may also have sneaked into the valley to trigger violence.”
Mr Chidambaram has reassured Mr Abdullah of his definite support and explained the urgency of CRPF’s resorting to use of force in different parts of the Valley to quell violent demonstrations.
According to the home minister, the CRPF is deployed in J&K to assist the state police. He said that under standard operating procedure, CRPF and the J&K police carry out their assignments jointly. Invariably, it is the state police officer who is in charge of the deployment and performance of duties assigned to the CRPF. “Magistrates are also present when the forces are deployed,” he said.
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