Srinagar, Aug 20: In disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Inspector General of Central Reserve of Police Force (Operations) Dr B N Ramesh Friday said good elements within the ranks of militants played their role in the conduct of smooth Amarnath Yatra this year.
“If there are good hearted militants they too played their role. They couldn’t create much disturbance this time, perhaps they too had intentions of not doing much this time,” he said addressing a news conference here.
Commending the locals for the smooth conduct of Yatra, Ramesh said not a single incident of stone-pelting was witnessed during the Yatra period this year.
“Not a single stone was hurled on CRPF or any other vehicle. Although they (youth) carried stones in their hands, but when we appealed they left stones and took decision by their heart and not mind,” he said, adding that prior to the pilgrimage CRPF build atmosphere for conducting smooth Yatra.
Replying to a query on whether CRPF had any plans to reduce the bunkers from the towns of the Valley on the pattern of Srinagar, he said that there are no permanent bunkers in Valley except in summer capital.
He said that the bunkers definitely cause inconvenience and are stumbling block to the return of normalcy, but added that concerned Superintendent of Police has to take decision on their removal.
When asked about the presence of dozens of bunkers in Sopore, Ramesh said that the Apple town is a special case requiring special measures.
“When Abbotabad episode took place on May 2, we were in the town given its sensitivity,” he said.
The CRPF operations chief asserted that they have achieved lot of success in anti-militancy operations during the past few weeks.
“There is our role also in surrender of Basharat commander of Pirpanchal range. We have also recovered cache of arms and ammunition from Pulwama and Tral,” he said.
Ramesh said CRPF would welcome the misguided youth who want to return back to the normal fold of life.”
If they want our assistance, we will assist them,” he said.
Claiming that the force has not committed a single act of human rights violation during the past ten months, Ramesh said that there are strict instructions from Union Home Secretary and Director General CRPF on their sector to safeguard rights.
He also added that they are also modifying rules for the recruitment of Kashmiri youth in CRPF.
