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| Dir adamant: Forest guards must don police uniform | | Com Sec says approval not given, Dir says not needed | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 11: The Director of Forest Protection Force (FPF) has been adamant to make Forest guards look like police personnel by changing their uniform, hence making them vulnerable to militant attacks.
Despite the fact that Commissioner Secretary of Forest had said he hadn't given approval for any change of uniform, the FPF Director said that he was competent to take decision and there was no requirement of any approval from the Commissioner Secretary.
Early Times had carried a report on August 11 titled, Change of uniform makes FPF guards soft target of militants, detailing about the apprehension of FPF guards regarding the threat perception to their life following change of their uniform from red shoes and red belt to black shoes and black belt, making them similar to police personnel and a soft target of militants, as they have to venture deep in forests.
After the report appeared, three new circulars were issued directing the staff to wear new uniform rather than old one. The orders have been issued by Deputy Director FPF flying Squad J-01 Jammu issued on August 10 and endorsed on August 11, while Deputy director FPF Gama Unit-J3 Kathua issued circular on August 11 directing the staff to wear new uniform.
While an enquiry of Assistant Director-II Masued Ahmed FPF Gama Unit J-06 Rajouri was also initiated by Deputy Director Rajouri for alleged non-compliance with regards to uniform code by personnel deployed for Independence day parade rehearsal in Rajouri.
Though Director FPF Asif Iqbal, while talking to Early Times had said that he would hold a darbar to sort out the matter, on Saturday he said that a darbar would be held after Independence day parade. He emphasized that the FPF guards would have to wear the black shoes and black belt.
When reminded that the Commissioner Secretary had said there was no approval to new uniform, Director FPF said that the Director was competent to change uniform and there was no requirement of approval from higher authorities.
On the question of the guards in Kashmir wearing the old uniform and photographs are also available with Early Times, he said that the photographs might be old one and they were also wearing the new uniform.
Commissioner Secretary to Government Forest Department Sourav Bhagat was not available for comments. |
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