Abid Bashir
Srinagar, May 21: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone Vijay Kumar Friday said that the issue of local boys joining militancy was a “serious concern” for the security forces and that many steps have been taken to plug the local militant recruitment. He was quick to add that there is a need for “more hard-work” for the same.
Talking to media men at District Police Lines Srinagar on the occasion of “National Anti-Terrorism Day”, the IGP Kashmir said that today security forces including police renew their pledge to fight “terrorism” with more zeal and zest. “Our motive is not just to kill a militant but to end militancy as well to secure the environment for the people of Kashmir,” he said. “Today, we take a pledge to condemn all forms of violence, militancy and its related activities.”
The Kashmir police chief said that he will go to the field and meet policemen who are performing their duties to raise their morale. “I will be going with a message that our men on ground must continue their great work and continue their contribution towards making the atmosphere more peaceful in the time ahead,” he said.
The IGP while replying to a query about local militant recruitment said a series of steps have already been taken to prevent locals from joining militancy. “We delay encounters by two to three hours only to allow local boys surrender. There is a need for more hard-work and efforts to keep boys away from the militancy,” he said, adding that a vast network of OGWs has already been busted and “motivators are being tracked down.”
Due to the prevailing second wave of Covid, the IGP said that many steps have been taken by police to bring youth into the mainstream, are on a halt. “We had taken measures that include sports activities, cultural events and other programs to bring youth into the mainstream. Let the Covid wave settle down, we will re-start these activities,” he said.
