J&K: Use of excessive force upsets governor

Jammu and Kashmir governor Narendra Nath Vohra is reportedly discontented the way security forces and the state administration are trying to contain the ongoing unrest in the Valley, particularly over the reports of excessive force being used in crowd-control situation.

Reports and complaints about sections of security forces’ bullying inmates during nocturnal raids are said to have upset him in particular.

His displeasure is reflected emphatically in the statements issued by Raj Bhavan here through the state information department after the governor held separate meetings with senior Army commanders and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers here during past two days. “The governor expressed concern and stressed the crucial importance of security forces exercising restraint in dealing with the arising situation,” the one issued after CRPF additional director general S. N. Shrivastava met him at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday said. Mr Shrivastava briefed Mr Vohra about the CRPF’s “role and responsibility” in the maintenance of internal security in the state, the statement said, adding the governor, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), thanked Mr Shrivastava for the CRPF’s “valuable contribution in the smooth conduct of this year’s pilgrimage” to the revered cave-shrine in Kashmiri Himalayas.

Earlier on Friday, the official statement on Northern Army Commander Lt. D.S. Hooda’s meeting with the governor also mentioned “exercise restraint”. It read, “The governor and Lt. Gen. Hooda discussed various issues on obtaining internal security situation and the need for the security forces exercising restraint in dealing with arising incidents”.

Speaking to reporters later, Lt. Gen. Hooda, himself, said that the nocturnal raids conducted by the Rashtriya Rifles troops in Khrew area outside Srinagar on Thursday were not sanctioned by the Army.

His meeting with the governor at which the GoC of Srinagar-based 15 (Chinar ) Corps, Lt. Gen. S.K. Dua, was also present took place in the backdrop of the Army troops’ killing a 27-year-old college lecturer Shabir Ahmed Mongu in their custody after he and about thirty other residents, mostly youth, were picked up by them during these raids at their houses at Khrew. Over a dozen of these civilians were treated in hospitals after they received injuries in their thighs, waist, lower back and hips in the Army “brutality”.

Let. Gen. Hooda said, “These raids were not sanctioned in the first place. It is unjustified. Nobody can support it and it will not be tolerated.” He added that an inquiry is ordered into the incident.

He also said while security forces are directed to exercise maximum restraint, the other side also needs to see that security forces, police stations and bases of security forces are not attacked.

“The cycle of conflict is on for more than 40 days now and no one is going to get away from it unhurt,” he said, adding, “My appeal is for calm. We have to sit down, put our heads together and see if we can find a way out of this situation.”