The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — Since militant activities are on the rise and many foreign militants are active in several districts of Jammu region, security forces have increased surveillance by raising checkpoints in different pockets of militancy-hit areas.

The Kathua and Doda districts are the most affected due to recent militant activities and all major points from where militants can enter into these districts or move around have been sealed and every vehicle is being checked.

According to the news agency KNO, security forces are not letting any opportunity to go waste to get any lead about the militants active in these areas.

Sources said that besides raising checkpoints, security forces have started meeting heads of villages and other people who have stayed in their areas so that militants are not able to get any public support.

“Recently several meetings were held with former public representatives and religious leaders where they were told to help security forces in maintaining peace in the region and not allowing militants to intrude in any way into the society and get any kind of support,” said a source.

The security forces believe that with the support of the public, they will be able to eliminate the militants who are active in the region. “Like in the past, we will be able to defeat the nefarious design of the enemy and these terrorists will meet fate like the past,” RR Swain, DGP J&K had said in the past after recent militant activities.

Moving ahead with this formula, security forces have already started reconnecting with the public, which for the past some time was missing since the militancy-related incidents had gone down drastically.

A highly placed source said that people have been told to inform the nearest security forces establishment if any militant visits their homes for food or any other thing. “Security forces understand that the general public can’t deny terrorists anything but once terrorists leave, people can inform security forces so that they are able to get close to eliminating terrorists," he said.

He added, "But if anyone hides the information, then he or she is not doing any good to him and the society and at that point in time, the person will be considered helping the terrorists, which invites action against him.”

SRINAGAR — ADGP Law and Order Vijay Kumar on Wednesday said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police is a professional, apolitical, and impartial force.

He was responding to a question regarding the remarks made by DGP Rashmi Ranjan Swain accusing mainstream and regional political parties in the Valley of facilitating Pakistan’s “infiltration into civil society”.

“Right from the beginning, J&K Police has been impartial. It is a professional force and is apolitical,” he said, adding that whatever DGP has said might be his personal opinion.

ADGP Vijay Kumar was talking to reporters while serving the mourners at a police stall installed at Zadibal Srinagar.

The remarks of DGP have snowballed into a controversy. Yesterday, Mehbooba Mufti levelled various allegations against the police chief.

SRINAGAR — In a significant move aimed at modernizing the criminal justice system in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Director General of Police R R Swain announced the implementation of new laws designed to replace outdated colonial-era statutes and strengthen efforts against militancy and organized crime.

Speaking at the PHQ Auditorium in Srinagar, Lieutenant Governor Sinha emphasized that the new laws mark a crucial step towards justice and equality, aligning with the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India. "These laws are a reflection of our commitment to restorative justice and victim rights, moving beyond mere punishment to rehabilitation and societal reintegration," he stated.

Highlighting the historical context, Sinha recalled debates from the Constitutional Assembly, stressing the long-awaited shift from colonial-era laws such as the IPC of 1860. "This transformation has been our dream since independence," he remarked, noting the comprehensive focus on addressing root causes of crime.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police R R Swain outlined the strategic importance of the Bhartiya Nyaya Samhita in combating cross-border militancy and organized crime syndicates. "These laws provide a clear legal mandate to tackle threats to national security, ensuring robust measures against unlawful activities," Swain explained, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced resources and training to meet new operational demands.

The implementation of these laws also introduces stringent protocols for law enforcement, including real-time monitoring through CCTVs and enhanced transparency in arrest procedures, as part of efforts to bolster accountability and efficiency.

Both officials expressed optimism about the transformative impact of these reforms on the UT's security, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of stakeholders and the public in shaping these legislative advancements.

JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain on Friday said that to counter the militants holding modern weapons, the police is procuring the latest arms from Israel and Germany to boost the weaponry of the force.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function where nine special police officers (SPOs) were regularised for their brave role in the Kathua encounter that saw the killing of two foreign militants, the DGP Swain, as per the news agency KNO, said that police were procuring weapons from Israel and Germany to boost its weaponry.

“We will have the latest weapon system to counter our enemy,” he said, in response to a query that slain militants in Doda encounter were having United States (US) made M-4 carbines with them.

The DGP said that the new procurement of arms from Israel and Germany will give a boost to the police forces’ weaponry and also help tackle the enemy in a much better way. “Terrorists can give us a leg cut but can’t defeat us,” he said.

It may be recalled that between June 9 and 12, four militancy-related incidents in the Reasi, Doda and Kathua districts of hilly Jammu claimed the lives of 10 people, including seven pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan and left many others injured.

DGP Swain recently stated that police were ready to take on foreign militants in Jammu and will not shy from firing the first bullet. In recent two encounters at Kathua and Doda, five foreign militants were killed and three US-made M-4 carbines were recovered from them besides other weapons.

The DGP, while hailing the courage and valour of Kathua people, said that when he served as the SSP in the district, elderly people would often tell him the tales of how locals of Kathua supported the army in wars against the enemy including the 1965 war. “Patriotism is deeply filled in the hearts of Kathua people. We have decided to strengthen the Village Defence Guards (VDGs) of Kathua district,” he said.

About the regularisation of SPOs, DGP Swain said that police top brass has unanimously decided to move beyond the normal procedure and regularise the SPOs who take militants head-on. “The brave acts of SPOs will be recognised and within 24 hours, the SPOs will be regularised for their brave acts,” he said in his message to all 20,000 SPOs serving the J&K Police.

SRINAGAR — DGP R R Swain on Monday said a successful war against militancy is not possible without the support of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

"Whether it is in hills of Ramban, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch or even in Kashmir, J&K Police is taking the lead in information generation or operations."

He added that the Government of India is aware of the important role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

He also said that for the preparation for the Amarnath Yatra, extensive and meticulous security measures have been implemented to ensure the safety and security of all.

PULWAMA — Jammu and Kashmir Police chief RR Swain on Saturday said that police were fully focussed and steps are afoot to keep the ongoing peaceful and fearless atmosphere intact in the UT for the upcoming Assembly polls slated by September this year.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Public Grievance Redressal Programme at Pulwama, the DGP, as per the news agency KNO, said that the police was fully aware and focussed on keeping the peaceful and fearless atmosphere intact in J&K for the upcoming Assembly polls.

“We know the value of peace and a fearless atmosphere. When there is no fear, people will definitely come out to vote. So we are focussed and steps are afoot to keep the peaceful and fearless atmosphere prevailing in the UT intact for the upcoming Assembly polls,” the DGP Swain said, adding, “We would love to see the high voter turnout in Lok Sabha polls become a trigger of a virtuous security cycle in J&K.”

Replying to a query, the DGP reiterated that there is a shift in militancy—from resident to foreign militancy. “Our endeavour to keep the youth away from guns has borne fruit. This has saved many women from becoming widows, many families from getting ruined and many lives from going to waste,” the J&K Police chief said.

“But foreign terrorism is there. Some 70 to 80 foreign terrorists have come here with arms and ammunition. Recently, they tried to blow up the electricity tower that provides power supply to people,” he added.

Earlier, addressing the Public Darbar, the DGP said police were acting tough against a few culprits to provide relief to the majority while efforts are on to ensure the policing is based on “truth and justice.”

The DGP Swain said that police have to be for the people and “our endeavour is to work with the people.” “At times, we have to act against few culprits or accused just to provide relief to the majority,” the DGP said.

He said no stone is being left unturned and discussions take place regularly among the officers to ensure policing is conducted on the basis of truth and justice. “Sometimes, some loopholes may remain or some mistakes may take place. Mistakes committed by the police have to be corrected by the police itself,” he said, without referring to any incident.

The DGP said that the administration or government keeps on changing but police remains a force that is seen everywhere in the country. “So, police is a force that always remains connected to the people,” he said.

PULWAMA — The widely popular People’s Grievance Redressal Programme or the interaction initiative of the Director General of Police, J&K, R.R Swain will recommence and it is to notify that the new programme will be held tomorrow i.e., June 8, 2024 (Saturday) at noon in District Police Lines Pulwama.

Citizens who have grievances pertaining to police investigations, enquiries, delay in verifications, delay or refusal in registering FIR or faulty investigation etc shall be given first preference, a statement issued here said.

The second preference will be given to the families of the police martyrs and the third preference will be given to the families and kin of other police personnel. Fourth preference will be given to the serving police personnel and SPOs to listen to their service issues, it added.

The programme will be strictly for the citizens of Pulwama district only. Recruitment-related applications or requests will not be entertained at all.

To participate in the programme, individuals with grievances related to police services should visit the District Police Line Pulwama to register at the help desk established for the purpose.

People who wish to bring their grievances to the attention of DGP J&K should submit a written application containing complete details including that of a working mobile number, it also reads.