Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 15: The interference by locals at encounter sites is taking a toll on army and police with many security personnel having lost their lives in 2018 in Kashmir.
Police in the Valley has issued an advisory many times asking people living within two-kilometres from the site of a gun battle to stay indoors. Despite that some people go near to the encounter sites. On Saturday, one army man lost his life during an encounter with militants at Kharpora Sirnoo, where some people tried to disrupt the operations. "Some people from various areas of South Kashmir Pulwama rushed to Kharpora Sirnoo where the encounter was going between forces and the militants in a bid to escape the militants. The security forces fired several warning shots then opened fire in self defence," a police official said. The official said that security forces resort to firing to stop people coming near to the encounter site.
"Had we not fired, then there would have been more causalities of security forces. We can't fight on one side with militants and another side with the mob," the official said. A senior police official said that security forces lost their so many lives due to interference by locals at several places. "We are also grappling with the situation and there is no easy solution for this problem. We lost so many lives as some locals pelt stones at security forces during operations," he said.
"It is for the safety of the people not to create obstructions' in anti-militancy operations," he said. Some people are coming out and also attempting to help the militants that has become a new challenge for security forces in Kashmir and sometimes also lead to causalities. The incidents of protests near encounter sites has become one new law and order issue for the Police.
An official of the Central Reserve Police Forces' said the troops are deployed for such a situation also.
"Many a time CRPF companies are deployed for similar law and order situation which develop before, during or after the encounter," he said.
A senior police official said the government has already issued advisory, asking people to stay away from encounter sites.
"Despite repeated advisories, people still rushed to encounter sites putting their lives in jeopardy. Security forces should be allowed to do their job, people should not interfere in operations where they get injured or have to face teargas (shells). We try to stop the people but they still come toward us," the official said.
Meanwhile, calling the civilian deaths as unfortunate, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on claimed that the "crowd came dangerously close" to the site of the gunfight that left three militants and a civilian dead in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
"While the operation was going on, a crowd who came dangerously close from different parts to the encounter site got injured," he added.
He said the injured were evacuated to hospital where "unfortunately seven persons succumbed to their injuries."
Others who were admitted in the hospital are stated to be stable, he said.
"The loss of civilians is deeply grieved. Police once again appeals the citizens to remain away from encounter site as it is a prohibited zone which involves significant danger to life because of nature of the encounter," said the spokesman. |
